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.

Many model years of the Civic from 1997 on are already included in the main survey. But more participants are needed for every model year, as many of the current sample sizes are marginal. So I'm grateful that the owner of this forum has provided permission to post here.

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 will receive full access to the results for free.

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

Auto reliability research

Next results in a few weeks. Additional participants always helpful.

Auto reliability research

436 Civic owners have signed up so far. Though among the best, this is for all model years, so more participants are still very much needed.

For the details and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

Latest results recently posted for the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The first three are asterisked for insufficient sample size. Additional participants would certainly help.

Vehicle reliability research

This post has been edited by mkaresh: Mar 7 2008, 01:01 PM

That's great, I'll tell my Honda fanatic friends about this... Thanks for the post.

Thanks, that will certainly help get the word out.

But they don't have to be fanatics. If anything, I expect the typical car buyer to find the site most useful.

I know that with the higher numbers of people participating helps you get a better picture of reliability. The more numbers you have the great accuracy of the results. Thanks for keeping us up to date. I wonder how many people, who are buying a car right now, will get this site information? It would be very nice to have when purchasing.

Currently the site has about 2,200 visitors per day.

No matter how many innovative features I add--including a new review tool today--the press avoids covering what I'm doing. They're rather reprint press releases from JD Power.

So it's really up to word-of-mouth.

Additional participants always helpful.

Vehicle reliability research