NORTON 88

500cc Petrol Class 2

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

92.5%

first-time pass rate

2.2%

failed outright

8,555

median miles at test

359

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The 88's first-time pass rate has risen 6.2 points since 2006, 93.8% to 100.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 88's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 88 passes first time 93.0% of the time; by 40k that's 90.0%.

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 88

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	11	52.4
steering and suspension	5	23.8
brakes	3	14.3
fuel and exhaust	1	4.8
tyres and wheels	1	4.8

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 88 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 88.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1955 (89.5% pass). Weakest: 1955 (89.5%).

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.