Norton 650SS vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Norton 650SS passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 93.8% vs 78.1%, a 15.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton 650SS	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	93.8%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	1.7%	14.0%
Engine size	650cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#198 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,719	19,446
MOT tests analysed	1,084	173,956
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

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 650SS	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	0.6%	6.1%
Brakes	0.3%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	0.5%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	3.6%
Structure & body	0.1%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	0.8%
Drive system	0%	1.0%

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 650SS	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2010	96.6%	76.3%
2011	94.4%	76.6%
2012	94.1%	75.4%
2013	95.1%	75.5%
2014	91.8%	76.4%
2015	92.7%	76.7%
2016	95.8%	77.7%
2017	97.2%	77.1%

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 650SS	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	92.6%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	97.5%	80.6%
20k-30k miles	91.7%	75.4%
30k-40k miles	96.9%	71.8%
40k-50k miles	98.2%	69.5%

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

Norton 650SS vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton 650SS or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Norton 650SS passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 93.8% vs 78.1%, a 15.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton 650SS fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.6% of Norton 650SS MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.5%).

What does the Kawasaki ZX-6R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Kawasaki ZX-6R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Norton 650SS or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 40k-50k miles the Norton 650SS passes first time more often: 98.2% for the Norton 650SS vs 69.5% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

NORTON 650SS 93.8% pass · 1,084 tests KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests

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