Our verdict
The bottom line
The right Mountfield ride-on for buyers who want the convenience of a tractor without spending Mountfield 1530H money. Manual transmission is the trade-off — but for under £1500 new it is the cheapest way into a credible UK ride-on.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Cheapest manual-transmission Mountfield ride-on
- 66cm deck fits narrow gates
- Stiga engine — universal parts
- 170L collection bag
Cons
- Manual gearbox — less smooth than hydrostatic
- Single-cylinder engine works hard
- Smaller deck means slow on big lawns
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 66 cm |
| Engine / Power | Stiga ST 350cc |
| Weight | 135 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
£550–950 used. Engine hours under 250 is good. Manual transmission needs a smooth shift through gears; sticking is usually linkage adjustment (£30 dealer fix). Steering box wears — check for play before paying.
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.