Our verdict
The bottom line
The default first ride-on. Half the price of a JD, does the same job on most UK gardens, parts are easy. The pragmatic choice — not the prestige one.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Cheapest credible hydro ride-on in the UK
- 84cm cut suits average garden
- Stiga engine — easy parts
- Compact enough to fit a small shed
Cons
- Single-cylinder engine works hard
- 170L box smaller than premium rivals
- Build quality below JD/Honda
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 84 cm |
| Engine / Power | Stiga 432cc OHV |
| Weight | 150 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | No |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 170 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 100 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£500–1100 used. Engine hours under 300 is excellent. Hydrostatic drive belt slip under load is the most common fault — test on an incline. Steering linkage develops play; check it. Mountfield/Stiga share parts so service at any dealer is straightforward.
Where to look: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are usually 20–30% cheaper than eBay UK for petrol mowers because most sellers want local pickup. eBay tends to win on cordless and electric (lighter, easier to ship). Always insist on a starting demonstration before paying.
