mkaresh

I wanted more up-to-date car reliability information that included actual repair frequencies. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. TrueDelta now updates actual repair frequencies, not just dots, four times a year, to track cars closely as they age.

We've been providing reliability stats for a number of Mercedes-Benz models, and would like to do the same for the latest M-Class. Just a matter of getting enough owners involved--with the 2012 we're about half way there.

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 the M-Class, for free. I'll share results for the W166 in this thread after each update.

For the details, and to sign up to help:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have an initial reliability stat for the 2012 M-Class based on owner experiences through December 31, 2012.

The reported repair frequency so far, 44 repair trips per 100 cars per year, is moderate.

This is based on a fairly small amount of data. We'll have updated stats in May and August. The more owners participate, the more precise these will be.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

iankayem

If it can be believed, a spy I have in the warranty section of MBAuP advises that the W166 has a very low rate of claims. Apparently they are quite surprised at the reduction of claims from the W164.

This statement does allow for the fact that the W166 has only been on sale for one year here.

mkaresh

I think you've got good insights on both counts.

Based on our survey data, the latest generation of Mercedes are considerably more reliable than the cars they replaced--but do get less reliable (if still not unreliable) after the first couple of years. They start out really good, then decline to around the average for all cars.

Benz-Lover

Hope it is not the case. I wanna keep my ML W166 for long time and hoping it can live to see a 200k miles at least without major issues. lets c if mercedes retained its previous solid reliability or not

mkaresh

Probably depends on how you define "major." These days the typical car lasts about 160,000 miles. But if you're willing to put money in (and this is more likely to make financial sense with a Mercedes) then 200,000 should easily be possible.

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through March 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2012 M-Class: 79, high, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in August and in November.

For the details, including the descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help improve this information (I'd love to get ride of the bit about the "small sample size"):

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through June 30, 2013. (Another source is about 14 months behind.)

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 M-Class: 17, low, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 61, high, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in November and February.

To view competitors' scores and descriptions of reported repairs, and to sign up to help:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through September 30, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 M-Class: 35, moderate, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 76, high, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in February and in May. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

dk10438

Interesting....
I think that this would validate the notion that the MB W166 is simply "ok" at best in terms of initial quality. Certainly I've had a below average experience and others seem to have had a better experience. Even people who say they love their cars have had little annoying issues which require trips to the spa...

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through December 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 M-Class: 23, low, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 67, high, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be. (I'd love to get rid of those "small sample size" notes.)

To see the repairs behind these stats, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

Our reliability stats for the M-Class now include owner experiences through March 31, 2014, making them nearly a year ahead of other sources.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 M-Class: 24, low, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 47, moderate, small sample size

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. Next update in August.

For a deeper dive, including the stats for other cars and repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

2012MLBlue

One repair in 28 months which was handled efficiently. Very happy with reliability of this 2012 as I was with my 2008. The last vehicle I owned that had quality issues was a Ford Explorer back 15 years ago. Since then Acura, BMW and two MB all very reliable.

mkaresh

Good to hear. Reliability has greatly improved across the industry. A primary goal of our survey is to make this clearer than the others, which post only dot scores relative to the average--partly to ensure that there are always bad ones.

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through June 30, 2014 (making them about 14 months ahead of some others).

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 M-Class: 23, low, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 39, moderate, very small sample size

Next updates in November and in February. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be. (I've love to get rid of those sample size disclaimers.)

For repair descriptions, the stats of other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through September 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 M-Class: 12, low, very small sample size
2013 M-Class: 16, low, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 63, high, small sample size

Additional participants always helpful (especially if you see "small sample size" next to the year, or no stat at all).

To view the repairs behind these numbers, check the stats for other cars, and sign up to help improve this information (next update in February):

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through the end of 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 M-Class: 31, moderate, very small sample size
2013 M-Class: 40, moderate, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 66, high, small sample size

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

Hoplatani

What do u think, two years later of this record, 68 out our 100 with problems!!

mkaresh

To be fair, most of the reported problems are minor. And given the sample sizes these stats aren't precise. I'd like to be able to provide more precise stats--a matter of getting more people involved.

www.truedelta.com/join

mkaresh

So, how have these cars been doing lately?

Our reliability stats for the M-Class now include owner experiences through March 31, 2015. (Others are nearly a year behind.)

In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year ("low" is best):

2014 M-Class: 36, moderate, small sample size
2013 M-Class: 52, moderate, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 67, high, small sample size

No stat for a model year? Then we very much need more participants for it. Same for those with small sample size notes--unfortunately, all of them. Next updates in August and November.

For repair descriptions, the stats for other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability

GregGebhardt

I got all the information I needed from just owning a new 2015 ML350 for 6 months.

Back to a new LX for me.

2012MLBlue

12 months later and zero repairs or problems of any kind. Bought it out at lease end and my wife thinks I am having an affair with a girl named Mercedes.

mkaresh

Our reliability stats for the M-Class now cover the year ending June 30, 2015. (Others are over a year behind, and so report how these cars were doing when a year younger.) Repair trips per 100 cars:

2014 M-Class: 36, moderate, small sample size
2013 M-Class: 50, moderate, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 84, high, small sample size

For the descriptions of all reported repairs, results for other models, and to sign up to help get rid of those "small sample size" notes:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through September 30, 2015. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 M-Class: 48, moderate, small sample size
2013 M-Class: 51, moderate, small sample size
2012 M-Class: 63, moderate, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in February and in May. Additional participants are needed to provide precise stats for all model years.

For the details, including repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We've updated our reliability stats for the M-Class to include owner experiences through the end of 2015, about eight months ahead of other sources. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year--lower is better:

2014 M-Class: 18, low, small sample size
2013 M-Class: 54, moderate
2012 M-Class: 55, moderate, small sample size

No stat, or a small sample size? Then we especially need more owners involved for that model year.

For the repairs behind these stats, reliability information on other models, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliability ratings and comparisons