Norton ES2 vs Yamaha FZS600

The Norton ES2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 91.3% vs 82.6%, a 8.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton ES2	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	91.3%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	2.8%	10.6%
Engine size	500cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#619 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,022	21,612
MOT tests analysed	2,223	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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Norton ES2	Yamaha FZS600
Brakes	0.7%	4.5%
Lights & signalling	1.5%	3.4%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.1%
Drive system	0.1%	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 ES2	Yamaha FZS600
2010	92.4%	82.0%
2011	87.8%	81.1%
2012	88.9%	80.2%
2013	85.7%	81.3%
2014	93.0%	81.2%
2015	86.6%	81.1%
2016	93.4%	82.2%
2017	94.4%	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 ES2	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	91.4%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	89.9%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	92.7%	81.4%
30k-40k miles	93.2%	78.7%
40k-50k miles	91.6%	76.8%
50k-60k miles	92.3%	74.7%

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

Norton ES2 vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton ES2 or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Norton ES2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 91.3% vs 82.6%, a 8.7-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton ES2 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.5% of Norton ES2 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.8%).

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 ES2 or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 50k-60k miles the Norton ES2 passes first time more often: 92.3% for the Norton ES2 vs 74.7% for the Yamaha FZS600.

NORTON ES2 91.3% pass · 2,223 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.