NORTON 850

828cc Petrol Class 2

#381 of 5426 overall #16 of 34 NORTONs #237 of 2787 other bikes

92.5%

first-time pass rate

1.1%

failed outright

23,442

median miles at test

279

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 850's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 850 passes first time 94.5% of the time; by 30k that's 94.7%.

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 850

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	3	60
brakes	1	20
drive system	1	20

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 850 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 850.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1974 (87.3% pass). Weakest: 1974 (87.3%).

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.