Our verdict
The bottom line
The right ride-on for a medium suburban lawn that will not fit anything bigger. Hayter quality means it lasts. Outclassed on price by Mountfield 1530H but the build is noticeably better.
Pros & cons
Pros
- British-built Hayter quality
- 76cm deck small enough for narrow gates
- Briggs Intek engine
- Rear collect big enough for most jobs
Cons
- 76cm narrow for big lawns
- Briggs Intek not as durable as Honda V-twin
- Hayter parts costlier than Mountfield
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 76 cm |
| Engine / Power | B&S 344cc Intek |
| Weight | 160 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | No |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 200 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 100 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£900–1700 used. Engine hours under 400 is good. Hayter parts are still made in Britain so old machines remain serviceable — that supports value. Test the gear-change linkage; it should be precise. Rear collection chute kinks are a common fault — flex it during inspection.
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.