Our verdict
Mountfield extends its dominant UK petrol position into cordless with the Empress range. The 38 Li is a fair entry cordless aimed at owners trading down from a Mountfield petrol when arthritis or noise becomes a problem. Outclassed on cut quality by EGO LM1701 for similar money.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Mountfield 40V battery shared with hedge trimmer and grass trimmer
- Brushless motor
- Folds vertically for storage
- 3-year warranty registered online
Cons
- Mountfield 40V family is small vs EGO 56V or Greenworks 60V
- 38cm cut narrow for medium lawns
- No self-propulsion
- Plastic deck
Full specs
| Type | Cordless |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 38 cm |
| Engine / Power | Mountfield 40V brushless |
| Weight | 14 kg |
| Deck | Plastic |
| Self-propelled | No |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | Yes |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 40 L |
| Suited to lawn | Small |
| Noise level | 75 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used £80-140. The Mountfield 40V battery family is sparse so used examples often miss the original battery and charger — verify both are included and working. Battery replacement is £55-75 direct from Mountfield. Plastic deck checked for cracks at the front lip is the main inspection point.
Where to buy the Mountfield Empress 38 Li
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Repair-cost reference
UK 2026 ballpark prices for the parts you're most likely to need on this mower. OEM is dealer-genuine; aftermarket is what you'll find on eBay or generic small-engine suppliers. Use these to sense-check any quote and to negotiate on used buys.
| Part / job | OEM | Aftermarket |
|---|---|---|
|
Replacement 38cm blade
Annual sharpening is free; replace when bent or cracked.
|
£24–£32 | £8–£12 |
|
Replacement battery
Wear part — typical 3–5 years to 80% capacity. The biggest single repair cost on any battery mower.
|
£90–£180 | £55–£120 |
Fair-offer calculator
Tell us about a specific used listing for the Mountfield Empress 38 Li you're looking at. We'll compute a fair offer range from our used-market data and the condition signals you provide.
Calculations are guidance, not gospel. Used-market prices vary by region (Scotland is typically 10–15% cheaper than the South-East), season (October cheapest, March most expensive), and seller motivation.
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