Our verdict
The bottom line
For estate owners who prefer British engineering over American. Same factory as Countax (AriensCo UK) with very similar specs and slightly different badging. The V-twin Vanguard is the engine to beat in this price class. Genuinely a forever machine.
Pros & cons
Pros
- British-built — same factory as Countax
- V-twin B&S Vanguard for serious lawns
- PGC powered grass collector handles wet UK grass
- Built to last 25 years
Cons
- Eye-watering price for non-estate owners
- Heavy at 330kg
- Niche — slower resale than John Deere
Full specs
| Type | Ride-on |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 107 cm |
| Engine / Power | B&S Vanguard V-Twin 16HP |
| Weight | 330 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | No |
| Mulching | Yes |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 320 L |
| Suited to lawn | Large |
| Noise level | 100 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used-market tip
£2200–3800 used. Engine hours under 600 is good. PGC blower belt is the wear part — slipping means £40 belt and dealer fitting. Westwood/Countax service histories are interchangeable. Anything under £2200 with full service is a buy; above £4000, get a JD instead.
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.
