Volvo S40, V40, and V50 reliability - better stats

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 30 Sep 2009, 10:47

TrueDelta.com reports actual repair frequencies, which makes the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, to track cars closely as they age.

MadeInJapan posted a thread about this research in the Tuning forum. I'm certainly grateful for that, but do many non-tuners visit that forum? A thread here might also be helpful.

We already have reliability stats for a couple years of the compact Volvos. With more participants we could provide information on all years.

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, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for their car, free of charge.

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

Car reliability research

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 30 Sep 2009, 10:49

Current 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 a single response below the minimum for a full result

2004.5-2005: 94

Both are about average.

We'll have further updates in November and February.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 28 Oct 2009, 10:08

Updated results again next 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

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 06 Dec 2009, 10:58

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

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 10 Jan 2010, 12:24

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

Help provide the best possible information for your year:

Car reliability research

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 14 Feb 2010, 09:05

Updated results soon.

The more owners participate, the more information we can provide.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 22 Mar 2010, 08:21

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

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 24 Apr 2010, 09:08

Recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record for cars 2000 MY and newer.

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

Car reliability research

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 30 May 2010, 10:09

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.

A big thank you, once again, 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 results and cover all model years.

Volvo S40 / V50 reliability comparisons

mkaresh · Post by **mkaresh** » 06 Jul 2010, 09:44

In a couple of weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. The preview results will be updated as responses come in.

To help provide the best possible information on your year:

Car reliability research