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 already providing results for the S40 and S60, and would like to do the same for the S80--but need more owners to sign up to participate first.

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

 

Additional participants still needed to include the S80.

 

45 S80 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Closer, but not there yet.

 

Updated results recently posted for many other models, including a few Volvos. Would like to include the S80 in future updates.

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

60 S80 owners signed up so far. A good start, but more are needed.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Updated results for 175+ other models next week. Would like to include the S80 in future results.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Just a few short for the 2000, and the 2008 is also getting close.

Help get your model year included:

Vehicle reliability research

 

Soooo close for the 2000...

 

This site has a "High risk assessment" do to the fact that the site hides its ownership, Why?

 

The "high risk assessment" is news to me. Who's doing the rating?

On the "hidden ownership," when you register a domain with godaddy.com they suggest using a proxy for ownership, for identity theft and what-not. Since it was free and figuring "better safe than sorry"I checked the box. Other domains when I've renewed them the proxy hasn't been free, so I've done without it. But this one I've bought for the maximum term.

 

Now just a couple cars short for both the 2001 and 2008--both could be included in the survey starting next month.

Car reliability research

 

Eric J, still around? Can you tell me if this is still the case? I provided the assessing company with the information they requested.

On the research, the 2008 S80 has been added to the survey, and the 2001 is VERY close.

Car reliability research

 

I guess Eric J isn't still around.

Anyone from the UK here? In response to requests from some UK owners, we've added UK powertrains to our database. So owners with non-US powertrains can now also participate in our real-world fuel economy survey, which unlike others includes important factors like driving style and driving conditions.

Real-world fuel economy survey

 

I added my S80 and 3 other vehicles. Great project going on here!

 

Thanks, I appreciate your help.

It's going to take a lot of people to cover all models, but we're getting there. 107 so far for the S80, a good start. That said, more remain needed for all model years.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results to include owner experiences through June 2009. These results included the 2008 S80. The reported repair rate for the 2008 S80 and V70 was 55 successful repair trips per 100 cars per year, which is 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 S80 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. These results included the 2008 S80. The reported repair rate for the 2008 S80 and V70 was 44 repair trips per 100 cars per year, which is about average.

We'll have further updates in February and May, with at least one more model year in the results. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo S80 reliability comparisons

 

172 S80 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide results for all model years. Four years are in the survey so far, and the 2001 and 2004 are both close.

Not yet signed up? Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated results for the S80, V70, and XC70 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 180, small sample size and clearly not accurate

2008: 53, 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 information and cover all model years.

Volvo S80 reliability comparisons