Norton Commando 850 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton Commando 850 car check
Is the Norton Commando 850 reliable? We analysed 845 real MOT tests across 150 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton Commando 850? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton Commando 850 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton Commando 850.
Norton Commando 850 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton Commando 850. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton Commando 850 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton Commando 850 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton Commando 850 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton Commando 850 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton Commando 850 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton Commando 850 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton Commando 850 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton Commando 850 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 64 | 96.9% | 3,131 | 11,096 | 25,651 |
| 1976 | 80 | 93.8% | 10,946 | 21,596 | 26,930 |
| 1975 | 93 | 92.5% | 20,944 | 23,884 | 31,015 |
| 1974 | 148 | 88.5% | 15,028 | 26,367 | 40,748 |
| 1973 | 103 | 90.3% | 8,608 | 26,745 | 59,983 |
How Long Does a Norton Commando 850 Last?
Based on 150 Norton Commando 850 vehicles on UK roads.
Norton Commando 850 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton Commando 850 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 850
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.9% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
88.5% MOT pass rate from 148 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton Commando 850 is 1977, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.9% across 64 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.5% — 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 850 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Commando 850 THIS CAR | 92.3% | 845 | 17,542 mi | 53 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 |
| Honda XL 125 V-b | 85.5% | 1,588 | 13,986 mi | 16 yrs |
Compared to the Norton Commando (91.4% pass rate) and the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate), the Norton Commando 850 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton Commando 850 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 Commando 850Should you buy a used Norton Commando 850?
The Norton Commando 850 has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.3% across 845 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 850 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (3), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (2). 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 850 owner drives around 402 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 850 models stay on UK roads for around 53 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.