Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

We're providing results already on the 2004.5-2005 and 2006. Though for both these and other years more participants are needed.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

 

Updated results recently posted. The 2004.5-2005 appears to have an average repair rate, while the 2006 appears to be better than average.

Both results are asterisked for a marginal sample size. I'd like to get rid of these asterisks and include additional model years in future updates.

To help make this happen:

Vehicle reliability research

 

Those results posted. Both the 2004.5/2005 and 2006 are about average, maybe a bit better than average, in repair rate. No results for newer years because too few participants. Also, the result for the 2006 is asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself because that sample size is marginal.

I'd like to provide precise results for all yearsjust a matter of getting enough owners involved.

For the full set of results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

TheVehicle Reliability Survey results for the S40 and V50 have been updated again.

Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2004.5-5: 79, about average

2006: 56, about average, small sample size

2007+: insufficient data; average repair rate for the 2008 C30, though

More participants needed to provide precise results and include more model years.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

The latest Car Reliability Survey results were recently posted. The reported number of repair trips per 100 cars per year for the Volvo S40 and V50:

2004.5-2005: 76, about average

2006: 64, about average

Small sample size for the 2006, and insufficient participants for other years.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years, including the 2009.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The one for the S40 and V50:

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

UK powertrains recently added to the database, so owners with those can now also participate in the real-world gas mileage survey.

Real-world gas mileage survey

 

134 of the current generation cars, plus 45 of the older ones, currently signed up to help. A good start, but more needed to properly cover all model years.

Especially need more 2007 and newer S40s and V50s.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 93

2004.5-2005: 77

Both results are about average. The difference between them is probably due to the sample sizes, which are very close to the minimum.

A big thank you to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 64, sample size one below the minimum for a full result

2004.5-
2005: 94

Both are about average.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 83

2004.5-
2005: 93

Both are about average, and this time both are just above the minimum sample size for a full result.

We've also introduced two new statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds," to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop. We don't have these for the S40 and V50 yet, though, because they require a larger number of responses.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide all three stats for all model years. So if you haven't signed up to participate already, I hope you'll consider doing so.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

Ya this is really a better info for many of the visitors who decided to by these Volvo's. I need this link.
By John,

 

Thanks for the compliment.

We'll have updated results later this month. As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 89

2004.5-
2005: 90

Both are about average.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

Recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 92

2004.5-
2005: 86

Both are about average.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

The 2010 Volvo S40 has a stylish, tasteful interior and a long list of safety features. He remained outside the top of his class, however, for poor performance. The Volvo S40 is a strong tower in appearance, with safety features not normally available in its price range.

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 106, worse than average, could be blip at end of warranty

2004.5-
2005: 81, about average

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the S40 and V50 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 76, about average

2004.5-
2005: 171, worse than average, but very small sample size and so not precise; was much lower last time

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability ratings and comparisons

 

We have some new pages that display all reported repairs by problem area:

2005 Volvo S40 / V50 problem reports

From this page it's possible to select a different model year or specify a problem area.

 

We've updated the results for the S40, V40, and V50 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since last April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 81, about average, very small sample size

2006: 81, about average

2004.5-
2005: 119, worse than average

2001: 87, better than average, big change from last time, but very small sample size and so not precise

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability ratings and comparisons

Volvo S40 / V40 reliability ratings and comparisons