NORTON ATLAS

750cc 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

8,522

median miles at test

1,150

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The ATLAS's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.0 points since 2006, 94.6% to 92.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage ATLAS passes first time 92.2% of the time; by 40k that's 97.1%.

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 ATLAS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	10	24.4	0.2×
brakes	7	17.1	0.1×
tyres and wheels	7	17.1	0.3×
steering and suspension	6	14.6	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	4	9.8	0.1×
body and structure	2	4.9	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	2	4.9	0.2×
driving controls	1	2.4	0.4×
structure and attachments	1	2.4	0.1×
suspension	1	2.4	0.1×

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 ATLAS 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 ATLAS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1968 (97.2% pass). Weakest: 1963 (88.2%).

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 ATLAS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the NORTON ATLAS reliable?

The NORTON ATLAS is more reliable than average for its class: 92.5% of its 1,150 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #381 of 5426 models.

What does a ATLAS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed ATLAS tests.

What is the best year of ATLAS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1968-registered examples do best (97.2%) and 1963 worst (88.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a ATLAS last?

The median ATLAS shows 8,522 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 97.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.