Norton 16H vs Yamaha FZS600

The Norton 16H passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 93.3% vs 82.6%, a 10.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Norton 16H	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	93.3%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	2.0%	10.6%
Engine size	498cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#252 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,073	21,612
MOT tests analysed	688	136,558
Most common failure	steering and suspension	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Norton 16H	Yamaha FZS600
Brakes	1.0%	4.5%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.7%
Lights & signalling	0.1%	3.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	2.9%
Structure & body	0.4%	1.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	1.1%
Drive system	0%	0.9%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Norton 16H	Yamaha FZS600
2006	93.2%	86.0%
2007	98.8%	84.1%
2008	95.6%	83.4%
2009	94.3%	81.2%
2010	90.6%	82.0%
2011	94.2%	81.1%
2012	91.5%	80.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Norton 16H	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	90.7%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	96.0%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	95.7%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	97.1%	78.7%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Norton 16H vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton 16H or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Norton 16H passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 93.3% vs 82.6%, a 10.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton 16H fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.0% of Norton 16H MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

What does the Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Norton 16H or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 30k-40k miles the Norton 16H passes first time more often: 97.1% for the Norton 16H vs 78.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

NORTON 16H 93.3% pass · 688 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.