NORTON 650SS

650cc Petrol Class 2

#197 of 5426 overall #7 of 34 NORTONs #118 of 2787 other bikes

93.8%

first-time pass rate

1.7%

failed outright

8,719

median miles at test

1,084

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The 650SS's first-time pass rate has risen 2.0 points since 2006, 95.2% to 97.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 650SS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 650SS passes first time 92.6% of the time; by 40k that's 98.2%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 650SS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	9	30	0.1×
steering and suspension	6	20	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	4	13.3	0.4×
tyres and wheels	4	13.3	0.2×
brakes	3	10	0.1×
driving controls	2	6.7	0.8×
body and structure	2	6.7	0.2×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 650SS beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 650SS.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1969 (100.0% pass). Weakest: 1967 (83.6%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

NORTON 650SS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the NORTON 650SS reliable?

The NORTON 650SS is more reliable than average for its class: 93.8% of its 1,084 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #197 of 5426 models.

What does a 650SS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed 650SS tests.

What is the best year of 650SS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1969-registered examples do best (100.0%) and 1967 worst (83.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 650SS last?

The median 650SS shows 8,719 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 98.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.