Norton Comando Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton Comando car check
Is the Norton Comando reliable? We analysed 1,052 real MOT tests across 164 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton Comando? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton Comando is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%., headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton Comando.
Norton Comando Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton Comando. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton Comando MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton Comando to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton Comando Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton Comando fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton Comando Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton Comando owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton Comando MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton Comando year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 113 | 89.4% | 17,713 | 28,125 | 42,985 |
| 1975 | 125 | 93.6% | 17,699 | 33,156 | 37,343 |
| 1974 | 83 | 97.6% | 11,420 | 26,099 | 41,452 |
| 1973 | 180 | 91.1% | 8,614 | 27,149 | 51,052 |
| 1972 | 121 | 93.4% | 1,807 | 20,679 | 26,325 |
| 1971 | 114 | 94.7% | 23,514 | 34,155 | 43,582 |
How Long Does a Norton Comando Last?
Based on 164 Norton Comando vehicles on UK roads.
Norton Comando Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton Comando MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Norton Comando
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.6% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
89.4% MOT pass rate from 113 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton Comando is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.6% across 83 tests. The 1976 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Norton Comando Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Comando THIS CAR | 93.2% | 1,052 | 20,760 mi | 55 yrs |
| Norton Commando | 91.4% | 13,398 | 18,484 mi | 58 yrs |
| Norton Dominator | 93.2% | 4,068 | 8,674 mi | 72 yrs |
| Norton Commander | 92.3% | 2,220 | 26,431 mi | 55 yrs |
| Hyundai I800 SE CRDI | 83.2% | 453 | 69,500 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Norton Commando (91.4% pass rate) and the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate), the Norton Comando sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton Comando you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Norton ComandoShould you buy a used Norton Comando?
The Norton Comando has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.2% across 1,052 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Norton Comando are roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (4 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (3), and direction indicators not working (3). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Norton Comando owner drives around 338 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Norton Comando models stay on UK roads for around 55 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.