B7 A4 reliability - better info

[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.

About 125 B7 owners have signed up to participate, enabling us to provide results for a couple of model years. (So far, the B7 is holding up better than earlier generations.) But with more participants we could provide more precise and more detailed results.

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

[nuctech]

great idea!

[Kid Red]

I signed up.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Additional participants always helpful.

Vehicle reliability research

[Sharkfin]

I also signed up, thanks!

[intonation]

I've been in for 3 months now. Great service.

[mkaresh]

I've been in for 3 months now. Great service.

Thanks for the support, it helps.

I've just released results for the 2006 and 2007 A4. For both years, the repair rate is better than the average, and better than the B6.

Will this continue to be the case? Time will tell. With prompt quarterly updates, this survey will closely track these cars as they age.

I'd like to also provide a result for the 2008, but especially need more participants for that year.

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

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

[Sly Raskal]

This is a great idea. After we take delivery of our B7 Avant, I'll sign up.

[mkaresh]

Thanks for the encouragement, it helps.

What I usually suggest is to sign up with the current car, then let me know of the switch when it happens.

[vtracer20]

signed up

[jahciple]

that's awesome, i will sign up later because i have an 08.

[l.ray49]

i'm in.

[mkaresh]

that's awesome, i will sign up later because i have an 08.

The research only collects data going forward, so if you wait to sign up you won't be able to report on as many months.

People can't report what happened before they signed up on the main survey because this might distort the results.

Next update in August. Additional participants would certainly help.

Vehicle reliability research

[mkaresh]

Next update in August.

If you've signed up to participate but haven't yet responded to the survey (via a link in the email you received), please do. And if you haven't signed up yet, I hope you'll consider doing so.

Vehicle reliability research

[mkaresh]

Those results in a week or so.

Looking forward to the next set, in November, can always use more participants. Especially for the 2008.

Vehicle reliability research

[fromGMCtoAUDI]

I have a 2008 & I've signed up but it won't let me report anything.

Do I have to wait until you send the survey form to my email?

[mkaresh]

Yes. The next email with links to the main survey will go out in about ten days. I check new entries for errors then activate them before sending each email. After that you'll be able to access the survey through the site as well as through the email.

The other surveys, for fuel economy, repairs that happened more than a month ago, and so forth, currently use a separate vehicle list. You can add your car to that one and participate in those surveys right away, if you want.

I'm in the process of merging the two lists and making the whole process clearer and simpler, but it's a lot of work, so it won't happen overnight.

[mkaresh]

Updated results have been posted. The 2006 and 2007 appear to have repair rates near the average, perhaps a bit better than average.

The reported repair rate for the 2008, with a marginal sample size, is better than average. With a larger sample size, it might be closer to the other years.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help out:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

[aspw]

interesting. I signed up.

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Additional participants always helpful. We especially need more 2007s and 2008s.

Vehicle reliability research

[mkaresh]

Updated results in a couple of weeks.

560 A4 owners signed up so far. A great start, but more remain needed. (809 3-Series are signed up.)

Vehicle reliability research

[mkaresh]

Those results, based on owner experiences through the end of September 2008, have been released.

B7 A4 reliability, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2006: 82, about average

2007: 55, average, maybe a bit better

2008: 26, much better than average, but based on a small sample size

Descriptions of all reported repairs have been posted to the site, for those interested in that level of detail.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

[mkaresh]

This month's survey is the last before the February results. Well over 600 A4 owners signed up so far. A very good start, but more remain needed.

Car reliability research

[sky14]

id do it but im all the wAY in canqda lol

[sky14]

lol i should read.
i joined

[mkaresh]

Thanks, I appreciate it. FWIW, hardly anyone reads anymore. Skimming is much more common.


The latest Car Reliability Survey results were recently posted. The reported number of repair trips per 100 cars per year for the Audi B7 A4:

2005.5-2006: 56, about average

2007: 40, better than average

2008: 34, better thana average

So, quite good so far, and much better than many people expect from an Audi.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. Additional participants would certainly be helpful, especially if we start splitting results by engine.

We now have a separate results page for each model. The one for the Audi A4:

Audi A4 reliability comparisons

[mkaresh]

Updated results next week. 812 A4s signed up so far. A great start, but more remain needed to properly cover all model years and powertrains.

To help get yours included:

Car reliability research

[wayneB7]

Thanks, I appreciate it. FWIW, hardly anyone reads anymore. Skimming is much more common.

And the replies often confirm that.

Tell me -- how does TrueDelta compare with Consumer Reports Reliability findings? They should be, on average, the same since both are based on consumer feedback.

[mkaresh]

TrueDelta's stats tend to track with those in CR, but there are a few sources of variation.

First, we ask about all repairs, not just those owners "considered serious." CR's wording opens the door wide for owner bias.

Second, people respond to our survey within a few weeks of having the repair. CR's survey relies on people's ability to remember repairs that occurred up to a year ago.

Third, our May results will be 11 months ahead of their current results. So when a model's reliability changes, this shows up in our stats well before it shows up in theirs.

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the B7 A4 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 56

2007: 43

2005.5-2006: 65

All three are average, which is better than many people expect from an Audi. The B6s have required more repairs.

A big thank you to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and post separate results for each engine.

Audi A4 reliability comparisons

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

Im in.

[santo666]

plus one

[mkaresh]

plus one

Thanks, and love the sig.

920 A4 owners now signed up--gaining on the 3-Series. Updated results next month.

[mkaresh]

Updated results soon. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Car reliability research

[A4_Eyez]

I will sign up once I get back stateside since I do not have the Vehicle Information or current odometer reading.

[psiaddict85]

just signed up as well

[mkaresh]

We've updated the results for the B7 A4 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 57

2007: 45

2005.5-
2006: 78

All are about average, and quite a bit better than the B6.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in November and February. The more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Audi A4 reliability comparisons

[mkaresh]

We'll have updated results again next month. Great participation by B7 owners. That said, with sample sizes more is always better, so additional participants are always helpful.

Car reliability research

[mkunert]

Was signed up with my B5, and signed up on my current B7. Great resource for B7 owners. Like the addition of the gas mileage section.

[JohnUSMC]

Can people that routinely perform their own repairs contribute/participate?