Norton Classic vs Yamaha FZS600

The Norton Classic passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 94.1% vs 82.6%, a 11.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton Classic	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	94.1%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	2.4%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+9.3 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	588cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#153 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,333	21,612
MOT tests analysed	826	136,558
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Norton Classic	Yamaha FZS600
Lights & signalling	1.7%	3.4%
Brakes	0.5%	4.5%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	2.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.2%	2.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.1%	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 Classic	Yamaha FZS600
2010	90.3%	82.0%
2011	93.5%	81.1%
2012	92.0%	80.2%
2013	95.7%	81.3%
2014	100.0%	81.2%
2015	95.3%	81.1%
2016	97.8%	82.2%
2017	91.9%	82.0%

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 Classic	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	93.8%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	92.9%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	95.7%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	92.1%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	96.8%	76.8%

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

Norton Classic vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton Classic or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Norton Classic passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 94.1% vs 82.6%, a 11.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Norton Classic still comes out ahead: +9.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Norton Classic, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton Classic fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.7% of Norton Classic MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.5%).

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 Classic or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 40k-50k miles the Norton Classic passes first time more often: 96.8% for the Norton Classic vs 76.8% for the Yamaha FZS600.

NORTON CLASSIC 94.1% pass · 826 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.