Norton Commando Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton Commando car check
Is the Norton Commando reliable? We analysed 13,398 real MOT tests across 2,308 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton Commando? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton Commando 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 tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton Commando.
Norton Commando Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton Commando. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton Commando MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton Commando to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton Commando Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton Commando fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton Commando Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton Commando owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton Commando MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton Commando year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 81 | 93.8% | 1,725 | 3,904 | 7,991 |
| 2017 | 151 | 92.7% | 2,287 | 4,767 | 11,580 |
| 2016 | 231 | 89.2% | 1,906 | 3,664 | 8,076 |
| 2015 | 279 | 90.7% | 2,521 | 4,727 | 10,066 |
| 2014 | 336 | 90.5% | 2,488 | 4,420 | 8,014 |
| 2013 | 111 | 91.9% | 2,257 | 5,261 | 12,818 |
| 2012 | 95 | 93.7% | 1,625 | 5,131 | 13,395 |
| 2011 | 87 | 94.3% | 1,003 | 3,531 | 8,769 |
| 2010 | 169 | 91.7% | 1,503 | 4,548 | 11,480 |
| 2009 | 54 | 90.7% | 3,400 | 7,958 | 10,354 |
| 2006 | 55 | 92.7% | 1,634 | 2,912 | 21,448 |
| 2004 | 106 | 94.3% | 2,752 | 9,910 | 14,720 |
| 2003 | 90 | 94.4% | 5,400 | 14,942 | 21,538 |
| 2002 | 53 | 96.2% | 6,172 | 12,749 | 14,829 |
| 2000 | 55 | 92.7% | 9,146 | 20,039 | 31,676 |
| 1999 | 94 | 91.5% | 4,930 | 18,008 | 36,124 |
| 1998 | 80 | 93.8% | 6,911 | 22,097 | 27,408 |
| 1997 | 81 | 91.4% | 8,034 | 10,538 | 19,394 |
| 1995 | 117 | 90.6% | 8,259 | 11,574 | 20,748 |
| 1994 | 84 | 92.9% | 7,404 | 12,642 | 18,619 |
How Long Does a Norton Commando Last?
Based on 2,308 Norton Commando vehicles on UK roads.
Norton Commando Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton Commando 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 Commando
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.9% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
85.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton Commando is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.9% across 64 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Norton Commando Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Commando THIS CAR | 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 |
| Norton ES2 | 91.9% | 2,195 | 12,188 mi | 78 yrs |
| Yamaha Gpd | 85.3% | 9,407 | 21,767 mi | 11 yrs |
Compared to the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate) and the Norton Commander (92.3% pass rate), the Norton Commando trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton Commando 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 CommandoShould you buy a used Norton Commando?
The Norton Commando has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.4% across 13,398 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 Commando are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (42 recorded failures), horn not working (39), and tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instruction/s (32). 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 Commando owner drives around 334 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 Commando models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.