Norton Commando 961 Sport Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton Commando 961 Sport car check
Is the Norton Commando 961 Sport reliable? We analysed 633 real MOT tests across 134 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton Commando 961 Sport? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton Commando 961 Sport is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton Commando 961 Sport.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton Commando 961 Sport. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton Commando 961 Sport MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton Commando 961 Sport to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton Commando 961 Sport fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Norton Commando 961 Sport models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton Commando 961 Sport owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton Commando 961 Sport MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton Commando 961 Sport year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 121 | 89.3% | 696 | 1,629 | 2,683 |
| 2018 | 132 | 84.8% | 1,707 | 2,451 | 4,022 |
| 2013 | 113 | 93.8% | 3,324 | 5,895 | 9,116 |
| 2012 | 73 | 90.4% | 1,820 | 2,762 | 4,630 |
| 2011 | 65 | 90.8% | 1,336 | 3,712 | 5,696 |
How Long Does a Norton Commando 961 Sport Last?
Based on 134 Norton Commando 961 Sport vehicles on UK roads.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton Commando 961 Sport 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 961 Sport
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.8% MOT pass rate from 113 tests
84.8% MOT pass rate from 132 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton Commando 961 Sport is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.8% across 113 tests. The 2018 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.8% — 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 961 Sport Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Commando 961 Sport THIS CAR | 89.9% | 633 | 2,827 mi | 15 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 |
| Skoda Superb S Greenline II TDI | 87.2% | 467 | 143,314 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Norton Commando (91.4% pass rate) and the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate), the Norton Commando 961 Sport trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton Commando 961 Sport 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 961 SportShould you buy a used Norton Commando 961 Sport?
The Norton Commando 961 Sport has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% across 633 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 961 Sport are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (2 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (2), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake has no recorded effort at a wheel. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Norton Commando 961 Sport with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Norton Commando 961 Sport owner drives around 291 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 961 Sport models stay on UK roads for around 15 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.