mkaresh

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.

Thanks to the help of people from this forum, we're able to provide results so far on the 2007 GL-Class and 2008 C-Class, with other models and model years likely in future updates. Reliability seems much improved over earlier Mercedes. I'd like to be able to provide the same information on the ML, to see how it truly compares to competitors.

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

mkaresh

Closer, but not there yet.

Results for the C, GL, and others just updated. Would like to get the M in future sets.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

61 M-Class owners so far. A good start, but still need more to include any model year in the survey.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

66 now, so getting closer.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

And a few more. A couple of model years are now over halfway to the minimum...

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

The C, E, and GL will be in the November set of results. Would like to also include the ML.

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

Now 83. We've got some much lower volume models in this survey, so it can be done.

mkaresh

And now 95. Getting there. 100 soon?

Updated results for 190+ other models in early February. Help get the ML included:

Vehicle reliability research

mkaresh

Now 104.

Those results for other models:

Car Reliability Survey results

mkaresh

And now 115.

The 2006 is now just seven short of the minimum, and the 2007 isn't far behind.

To help get your year included:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

The 2000 and 2006 are now both just half a dozen owners short of the minimum, with the 2007 just a few behind them.

mkaresh

Now need just two more owners to include the 2006. Others also getting close.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results for the C, E, and GL next month. Close to also including the M, but still not quite there. A few more owners would make it happen.

mkaresh

Now just owners short of getting started with both the 2006 and 2007.

Help get your year included:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

The 2006 has been added to the survey, and the 2007 is just two owners short of the minimum.

mkaresh

155 owners now signed up, and both the 2006 and 2007 are either at the minimum or right below it. Additional participants would be very helpful.

Car reliability research

mkaresh

Updated results for other Mercedes models later this month. Might have first results for the M-Class in February.

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 will be needed to provide them.

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

Car reliability research

360º

forbes just rated the ML63 as the 4th least reliable car


http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/19/cas...m_slide_8.html

mkaresh

You're misreading the Forbes piece. It includes repair AND maintenance costs. The bulk of the costs are maintenance. The repair costs, given the source, are likely based on the cost of an extended warranty.

So these rankings only indirectly and partially reflect reliability.

mkaresh

Might have results for the 2000, 2006, and 2007 in February, with a preview for participants next month. It's going to be close--a few more participants per model year would be very helpful.

For the details, and to help make these stats possible:

Car reliability research

Patel511

Is the 2006 a half year car?

mkaresh

No. Half-year cars are rare for Mercedes. Audi and VW are fond of them.

finito

lol Most of the cars are Mercs and Dodges

mkaresh

I'd like to have some results for both the 2006 and 2007 in May, but it's going to be tight--we're currently a couple of participants short in both cases.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

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