Norton Commander Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton Commander car check
Is the Norton Commander reliable? We analysed 2,220 real MOT tests across 318 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton Commander? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton Commander is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, horn not working and suspension bush has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton Commander.
Norton Commander Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton Commander. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton Commander MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton Commander to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton Commander Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton Commander fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton Commander Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton Commander owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton Commander MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton Commander year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 162 | 92.0% | 17,178 | 27,628 | 50,208 |
| 1992 | 255 | 93.3% | 16,995 | 35,124 | 58,363 |
| 1991 | 84 | 95.2% | 17,567 | 22,296 | 44,348 |
| 1990 | 169 | 91.7% | 23,573 | 42,236 | 54,684 |
| 1989 | 415 | 92.3% | 21,836 | 42,657 | 69,537 |
| 1977 | 53 | 90.6% | 6,241 | 8,600 | 13,016 |
| 1976 | 72 | 97.2% | 5,170 | 12,523 | 23,932 |
| 1975 | 73 | 91.8% | 15,951 | 33,933 | 60,315 |
| 1974 | 142 | 90.8% | 12,649 | 20,161 | 29,732 |
| 1973 | 104 | 91.3% | 20,148 | 30,010 | 39,432 |
| 1972 | 180 | 90.6% | 11,635 | 24,116 | 32,730 |
| 1971 | 99 | 96.0% | 7,910 | 27,940 | 41,864 |
How Long Does a Norton Commander Last?
Based on 318 Norton Commander vehicles on UK roads.
Norton Commander Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton Commander 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 Commander
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.2% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
90.6% MOT pass rate from 180 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton Commander is 1976, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.2% across 72 tests. The 1972 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Norton Commander Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Commander THIS CAR | 92.3% | 2,220 | 26,431 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 ES2 | 91.9% | 2,195 | 12,188 mi | 78 yrs |
| Suzuki Gsx 650 FAL2 | 89.5% | 1,519 | 13,038 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Norton Commando (91.4% pass rate) and the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate), the Norton Commander sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton Commander 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 CommanderShould you buy a used Norton Commander?
The Norton Commander has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.3% across 2,220 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 Commander are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13 recorded failures), horn not working (6), and suspension bush has excessive free play (5). 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 Commander owner drives around 547 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 Commander 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.