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.

The May update will include the 2001 and 2004. The August update will probably include a few more years, depending on how many owners sign up and participate.

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 all models, not just the V70, for free.

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

Vehicle reliability research

 

Recently posted the latest results. The 2001 has a worse than average repair rate, but the 2004 is about average.

I'd like to include additional model years in future updates, especially the new 2008. But this depends on the one thing I can't do myself: owners' participation.

For the full set of results, and sign up to help (if you haven't already):

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

I just bought a 2001, d'oh!! [:@]

 

I wouldn't sweat it. You're probably still just looking at one or two repairs per year.

Additional participants always helpful. For most model years, we're either just above or just below the minimumwould like to be well above it.

Vehicle reliability research

 

I sure would (sweat it)!
01's are not very good, in general.
I hope you have one of the "good" ones
Change your tranny fluid ASAP unless you have PROOF that it has been recently done

 

I didn't want him to get upset about the recent purchase. But whenever something can be done to improve the odds (beyond worrying about them) it's always good info to have.

Anything else he could do to improve the odds?

 

I just bought mine about 6 weeks ago. I'm not sure if my feedback would provide any helpful information.

 

When you first get a car is actually the best time to join.

 

Latest results recently posted for the 2001 and 2004. As before, the 2001 appears to have a worse than average repair rate (because first model year?) while the 2004 is about averageg.

Would like to have more years next time, in November. This will depend on how many owners sign up and participate.

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

TrueDelta has released updated Car Reliability Survey results for the V70. Most model years, including the three we have full results for, appear to be about average in reliability. The sample sizes for the 1998 ("better than average") and 2006 ("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 V70:

Volvo V70 reliability comparisons

 

I've added UK-market powertrains to the database, for owners living outside North America. So these owners can now participate in the real-world fuel economy survey as well.

Real-world fuel economy survey

 

We've updated the results for the V70 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 this forum and 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 V70 / XC70 reliability comparisons

 

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

2008: 55, about average

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 V70 / XC70 reliability comparisons

 

Updated results again later this month.

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:

Car reliability research

 

Could you please explain what "average" is. Is it against other Volvo models? Different years? Other manufacturers?

I ask because most of the years have "worse than average". If it's within the V70 class, then some years, by default, would have to be above average.

Thanks,

Vince

 

Sorry for the late response--notification must have been shunted into the spam filter or something.

Anyway, as with other reliability stats it's relative to all other cars for the model year.

We've updated the results for the V70 and XC70 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 44, about average (S80, V70, and XC70 for this 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.

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 already signed up to participate, please consider doing so.

Volvo V70 / XC70 reliability comparisons

 

367 V70 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the 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 (S80, V70, and XC70 for this 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

2000: 208, worse than average

1999: 280, worse than average, small sample size

1998: 205, 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.

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. 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 V70 / XC70 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 next month.

Car reliability research

 

Updated stats in about two weeks.

We will start splitting out the R with this set. Since this splits the sample, additional participants would be even more helpful than earlier.