Our verdict
The bottom line
The mower in the corner of B&Q for £159. Not glamorous, not durable, but cheaper than half the cordless options for similar capability. Treat as semi-disposable — five seasons is realistic.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Cheapest petrol mower with a brand name
- Light at 21kg — easy to push
- Mountfield engine is well-supported
- Push-only means fewer parts to fail
Cons
- 41cm cut narrow for typical UK gardens
- 100cc engine works hard on long grass
- 40L box small
Full specs
| Type | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 41 cm |
| Engine / Power | Mountfield RM45 OHV 100cc |
| Weight | 21 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | No |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | No |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 40 L |
| Suited to lawn | Small |
| Noise level | 95 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£40–80 used. Massive supply, never overpay. Pull-start should fire on first pull when warm. Plastic deck cracks around the wheel mounts after 6+ years — flip and inspect. A clean unit at £50 is a steal for an emergency 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.