Our verdict
A genuinely capable German-engineered petrol at a Mountfield SP485 price. The Briggs 875EX is the engine to beat in this class. AL-KO has stronger presence in DE/AT/CH than UK, so used supply is thinner — but condition tends to be better.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Briggs 875EX engine — pro-grade Briggs
- German AL-KO engineering
- 52cm cut + self-propel
- Solid UK dealer presence in northern England
Cons
- AL-KO badge depreciates faster than Stihl
- Mid-cut flap design clogs in wet grass
- Heavier than the Mountfield SP46
Full specs
| Type | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 52 cm |
| Engine / Power | B&S 875EX 190cc |
| Weight | 34 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | Yes |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 70 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 95 dB |
Buying second-hand
£170–320 used. Briggs 875EX engine hours under 100 is excellent. AL-KO chassis numbers verify dealer service. The mid-cut flap mechanism develops play; check it pivots cleanly. Less common on UK Marketplace so don't walk away from a clean one — they don't come up often.
Where to buy the AL-KO Highline 5.2 SP-S
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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 52cm blade
Annual sharpening is free; replace when bent or cracked.
|
£24–£32 | £8–£12 |
|
Air filter (paper)
|
£14 | £6 |
|
Spark plug (NGK BPR5ES)
|
£10 | £4 |
|
ReadyStart autochoke unit
|
£45 | £32 |
|
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 AL-KO Highline 5.2 SP-S 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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