Mountfield SP46 (representative photo)
Petrol
MOUNTFIELD-SP46

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — Mountfield 725M — same brand walk-behind

Mountfield

SP46

"Britain's best-selling self-propelled petrol"

4.3 (1,240) · Value score: 8.6 / 10
RRP New
£329
Manufacturer
Buy Now
£279
Lowest UK retailer
Used Avg
£140
Facebook / eBay UK avg
Prices last reviewed

Our verdict

The bottom line

The mower nearly every UK garden has had at some point. Cheap new, cheap used, easy to repair. Not glamorous, but it does the job for years if you change the oil.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Best-value self-propelled petrol on the UK market
  • Stiga engine is reliable and parts are everywhere
  • Light at 27kg — easy to push and store
  • Huge used supply keeps prices low

Cons

  • Plastic deck not as durable as steel
  • Cable-operated drive less smooth than Honda
  • Rear flap hinge a known weak point

Full specs

TypePetrol
Cut width46 cm
Engine / PowerStiga ST120 OHV 123cc
Weight27 kg
DeckSteel
Self-propelledYes
Rear rollerNo
MulchingYes
Cutting heights6 positions
Bag capacity55 L
Suited to lawnMedium
Noise level95 dB

Buying second-hand

Used-market tip

Used SP46s should be £100–160 — never pay more than £180. Massive supply on Marketplace. Look for visible engine oil leaks around the dipstick (a common fault). The plastic rear flap hinge cracks — check it pivots freely. If the drive cable feels loose, factor £15 for a replacement.

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.

Where to buy the Mountfield SP46

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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 / jobOEMAftermarket
Replacement 46cm blade
Annual sharpening is free; replace when bent or cracked.
£24–£32 £8–£12
Foam air filter
£10 £3
Spark plug
£8 £3
Carburettor service kit
£25 £10
Drive cable replacement
Stretches at 5–8 years. 30-minute DIY fit.
£18–£28 £8

Fair-offer calculator

Tell us about a specific used listing for the Mountfield SP46 you're looking at. We'll compute a fair offer range from our used-market data and the condition signals you provide.

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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.

Help future buyers

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