Norton ES2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Norton ES2 car check
Is the Norton ES2 reliable? We analysed 2,195 real MOT tests across 486 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Norton ES2? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Norton ES2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Norton ES2.
Norton ES2 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Norton ES2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Norton ES2 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Norton ES2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Norton ES2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Norton ES2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Norton ES2 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Norton ES2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Norton ES2 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Norton ES2 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 89 | 93.3% | 6,947 | 32,294 | 37,997 |
| 1961 | 183 | 89.6% | 14,513 | 25,954 | 38,354 |
| 1960 | 150 | 94.0% | 1,844 | 8,930 | 38,295 |
| 1959 | 99 | 88.9% | 3,840 | 27,405 | 51,125 |
| 1958 | 54 | 88.9% | 2,239 | 14,207 | 49,121 |
| 1957 | 56 | 89.3% | 7,346 | 11,992 | 32,958 |
| 1956 | 61 | 85.2% | 1,238 | 11,455 | 31,461 |
| 1955 | 58 | 93.1% | 2,445 | 5,383 | 13,539 |
| 1954 | 64 | 89.1% | 7,551 | 21,068 | 32,376 |
| 1953 | 116 | 91.4% | 7,012 | 15,738 | 31,070 |
| 1952 | 73 | 90.4% | 2,638 | 14,088 | 48,162 |
| 1951 | 85 | 90.6% | 1,600 | 5,248 | 12,675 |
| 1950 | 74 | 90.5% | 1,460 | 13,166 | 26,988 |
| 1949 | 61 | 88.5% | 1,248 | 16,041 | 24,157 |
| 1948 | 100 | 91.0% | 4,992 | 10,400 | 15,177 |
How Long Does a Norton ES2 Last?
Based on 486 Norton ES2 vehicles on UK roads.
Norton ES2 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Norton ES2 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 ES2
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.0% MOT pass rate from 150 tests
85.2% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Norton ES2 is 1960, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.0% across 150 tests. The 1956 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Norton ES2 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton ES2 THIS CAR | 91.9% | 2,195 | 12,188 mi | 78 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 |
| Kawasaki ZX600-J1 | 82.9% | 1,847 | 16,670 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Norton Commando (91.4% pass rate) and the Norton Dominator (93.2% pass rate), the Norton ES2 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Norton ES2 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 ES2Should you buy a used Norton ES2?
The Norton ES2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.9% across 2,195 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 ES2 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (9 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (6), and steering headbearing 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 ES2 owner drives around 252 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 ES2 models stay on UK roads for around 78 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.