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.

Already over 200 S60 owners have signed up to help, and we've been able to provide results for some model years. But many more 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

 

Counts by model year, 25 needed to start:

1998: 26
1999: 13
2000: 18 -- need only seven more
2001: 52
2002: 26
2003: 19 -- need only six more
2004: 46
2005: 18 -- need only six more
2006: 24 -- included, but one short
2007: 12
2008: 4 --ouch!

So most years are either included or need just 6-7 more owners to sign up. The 2007 and 2008--well, we especially need more of those.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Not surprising considering the cost!

 

The latest results, posted this week, cover owner experiences through March 31, 2008. They include the 2001 and 2004 S60.

The repair rate for the 2001 S60 and V70is worse than average, while that for the 2004 is about average (compared to other models of the same year). Have the cars improved, or will the 2004s also have more problems as they age? Time will tell.

With quarterly updates, TrueDelta's results will track owner experiences closely.

To view the results, and sign up to help us include all model years:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

what do i have to do? ill have a 20082.5T sometime around june 10th

 

I send an email out each month. If you had a repair the previous month, click on the link for that and fill out a one-page survey. If you didn't have a repair, just provide an approximate odometer reading at the end of each quarter. Most months no response is needed.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Those results have been posted. As in previous results, the 2001 has a worse than average repair rate, while the 2004 is about average.

We hope to have additional model years in the November results, but this will depend on how many owners join and participate.

The full set of results:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

isnt this a little bias, i mean, to just rank it by year doesnt make sense. what about whether its AWD or has a Turbo and all that, it makes a huge difference in what you can expect right? maybe i missed the point lol

 

I do sometimes split the results by powertrainit depends on whether the repairs reported warrant it. The reason not to do it unless it's necessary is that the sample size is already small. Split it, and you have two insufficient samples.

But if enough people sign up and participate, I'll gladly split the results any way people want me to.

 

The Vehicle Reliability Survey results for the S60 and V70 have been updated.

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

2001: 142, average, maybe a bit worse

2004: 77, average

2005: 144, much worse than average, very small sample size

2006: 141, much wore than average, very small sample size

Among the 350+ results in the current set, these are probably the most puzzling. If just the 2005 or the 2006 were high, I'd say it was a fluke. But with both high, but the 2004 around average with a good sample size, I don't know.

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

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

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

TrueDelta has released updated Car Reliability Survey results for the S60. Most model years, including the three we have full results for, appear to be about average in reliability.

The sample sizes for the 1998 S70 ("better than average") and 2006 S60 ("worse than average") are marginal, so these results are broad indicators at best. With more participants we could provide full results for all model years.

TrueDelta now has a separate results page for each model. The one of the Volvo S60 / S70:

Volvo S60 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the S60 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 106, worse than average, marginal sample size

2005: 119, worse than average

2004: 107, about average

2002: 88, about average, small sample size, probably not accurate judging from other results

2001: 170, worse than average

A big thanks 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 S60 reliability comparisons

 

Now 247 S60 owners signed up. A good start, but more needed to properly cover all model years. Updated results next month.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S60 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 57, about average, very small sample size

2006: 63, about average

2005: 112, worse than average

2004: 124, worse than average

2002: 141 worse than average

2001: 187, worse than average

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. Because of increased participation, these results are more precise than previous results. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo S60 reliability comparisons

 

Updated results soon.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up if you haven't already:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S60 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 53, about average, small sample size

2006: 79, about average

2005: 106, about average

2004: 121, about average

2002: 205 worse than average

2001: 211, worse than average

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 S60 yet, though, because they require a larger number of responses.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. 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 already signed up to participate, please consider doing so.

Volvo S60 reliability comparisons

 

289 S60 owners now signed up, plus another 324 for the pre-2008 V70. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years. Updated results later this month.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the S60 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 38, better than average, small sample size

2006: 106, worse than average

2005: 101, about average

2004: 116, worse than average

2003: 94, about average, small sample size

2002: 211, worse than average

2001: 177, worse than average

We have two additional 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.

For the 2004, the first is 32, while the latter is 14. These are among the worst for the models currently covered.

We don't have these for other years 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 May and August. With more participants, we could provide all three stats for all model years. So if you haven't already signed up to participate, please consider doing so.

Volvo S60 reliability comparisons

 

Just 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, with a preview for participants in mid-April.

Car reliability research

 

Updated stats next week. We're going to start posting separate stats for the R, which will split the sample, so additional participants needed.