NORTON F1

588cc Petrol Class 2

#153 of 5426 overall #5 of 34 NORTONs #96 of 2787 other bikes

94.1%

first-time pass rate

3.2%

failed outright

11,307

median miles at test

407

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2009

The F1's first-time pass rate has fallen 9.4 points since 2006, 95.5% to 86.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the F1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage F1 passes first time 95.8% of the time; by 20k 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 F1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	5	23.8
steering and suspension	4	19
brakes	4	19
lamps and reflectors	3	14.3
reg plates and vin	3	14.3
body and structure	1	4.8
audible warning (Horn)	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 F1 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 F1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1992 (97.5% pass). Weakest: 1990 (93.2%).

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.