In the southern UK I assume that all the ground below me is 500' MSL unless I know otherwise! If I were to come in high, it is easy enough to shed a few 00 feet. If I am low.....oops. But one instructor used to teach me the long base, short final technique. If you are flying over somewhere with tons of fields that all look alike (like S UK) and you are not particularly high, you can set yourself up for a long base and at the right altitude, turn final.
At least with a stopped prop you know the engine is f*&^%$d and don't need to waste any time on restarting it.
Fuel?