MINI reliability - better info

[mkaresh]

I wanted more up-to-date auto reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started conducting reliability research at TrueDelta.com (http://www.truedelta.com). TrueDelta reports absolute repair rates that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to track cars closely as they age.

A few MINI owners have emailed me recently, wondering how soon we'll have reliability results for the car. Well, this depends on how soon we have enough participants. The 2003, 2005, and 2008 are all just a few cars short of the minimum sample size, and other years aren't far off.

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 MINI, free of charge.

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

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We've included the 2003, 2008, and 2009 in the survey, though they're still one or two cars short of the minimum sample size. Other years close. Additional participants would be very helpful--we'd like to provide information on all model years.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We'll have partial results for at least one model year in August. Two more years are just a couple responses short of the minimum for a partial result.

In other words, additional participants would be very helpful. If MINI owners keep signing up the way they have been, we'll have full results for all model years in future updates.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[navySapphire]

Great idea mkaresh. An independent way to judge car reliability is something all car owners need.

[mkaresh]

Thanks for the encouraging words, they help justify all of the hard work involved.

We'll have partial results for the 2005, 2008, and 2009 in a couple of weeks. We'd like to have full results for all years in future updates. All it takes is more participants...

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[JIMINI]

I'll sign up my 1 day old 2009 Mini

[mkaresh]

We have results for the MINI based on owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 120

2008: 83

2005: 147

In all three cases the sample sizes are very small, so these results are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself. The actual repair frequency for the 2008 and 2009 is probably in between those two results, around 100.

Though imprecise, these results do indicate a worse than average repair frequency.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

MINI Cooper reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

We'll have updated results again later this month. We'll have a full result for the 2009 this time around, and partial results for the 2005 and 2008.

The goal, of course, is full results for all years. Need more participants to make this happen.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We have results for the MINI based on owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 86

2008: 120

2005: 136

All are worse than average. Small sample sizes for the 2005 and 2008.

We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

MINI Cooper reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

We have results for the MINI based on owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 68, average

2008: 97, worse than average

2006: 141, worse than average

2005: 105, about average

Small sample sizes for all but the 2009.

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

MINI Cooper reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

To provide an additional benefit, I recently 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 mid-May.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We have results for the MINI based on owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 77, average

2008: 96, worse than average

2006: 118, worse than average

2005: 94, about average

2003: 44, better than average but very small sample size.

Small sample sizes for all but the 2009.

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

MINI Cooper reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211&email=Guest)

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the MINI based on owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

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

2009: 64, about average

2008: 81, about average

2007: 106, worse than average

2006: 100, worse than average

2005: 128, worse than average

2003: 26, better than average but very small sample size and the results for other years strongly suggest that this one is not accurate

Small sample sizes for all but the 2009, though the 2006 and 2007 are close to the minimum for full results.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

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

MINI Cooper reliability comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211)

[alecbaldwin]

Results seem odd, the MINI has seemingly been far better in reliability compared to 'average'

[mkaresh]

Results seem odd, the MINI has seemingly been far better in reliability compared to 'average'

What are you basing this on?

The other surveys I'm aware of have similar results.

[alecbaldwin]

What are you basing this on?

The other surveys I'm aware of have similar results.

my own personal anecdotal experience.

[mkaresh]

Starting this month we have a new question to measure, as objectively as possible, the severity of a problem. Many people have been asking for reliability stats that weight problems by how severe they are, and once we have enough responses with the revised survey we'll start providing this.

Also this month: updated reliability stats.

As always, the more owners participate, the better the information we can provide to everyone.

Car reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the MINI based on owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

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

2010: 41, about average

2009: 64, about average

2008: 73, about average

2007: 85, about average

2006: 77, about average

2005: 121, worse than average

2003: 26, better than average but very small sample size and the results for other years strongly suggest that this one is not accurate

Small sample sizes for all but the 2005, 2006, and 2009.

We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

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

MINI Cooper reliability ratings and comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211)

[mkaresh]

We have updated results for the MINI based on owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year.

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

2010: 82, worse than average

2009: 69, about average

2008: 101, worse than average

2007: 62, about average (small sample size, only hatch and Clubman)

2006: 64, about average

2005: 125, worse than average

2003: 65, better than average but very small sample size and the results for other years suggest that this one is not accurate

The repair frequencies for the 2008 and 2010 were bumped by multiple reports of heat damage to the hood scoop on the S. Also timing chain tensioners causing a cold start rattle and power windows on the 2008.

There's more variation from year to year than we're used to seeing, probably because the samples sizes are all either small or just above the minimum.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

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

MINI Cooper reliability ratings and comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211)

[mkaresh]

We have updated our car reliability stats for the MINI based on owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

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

2010: 54, about average

2009: 79, about average

2008: 106, worse than average

2007: 56, about average (small sample size, only hatch and Clubman)

2006: 48, better than average

2005: 113, about average

2003: 81, about average, very small sample size

The repair frequencies for the 2008 and 2010 were bumped by multiple reports of heat damage to the hood scoop on the S. Also timing chain tensioners causing a cold start rattle and power windows on the 2008.

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

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

MINI Cooper reliability ratings and comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211)

[mkaresh]

We have updated our car reliability stats for the MINI based on owner experiences through June 30, 2011.

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

2011: 44, about average, small sample size

2010: 56, about average

2009: 80, about average

2008: 103, worse than average

2007: 65, about average (small sample size, only hatch and Clubman)

2006: 65, about average

2005: 130, worse than average

2003: 108, about average, very small sample size

The repair frequencies for the 2008 and 2010 were bumped by multiple reports of heat damage to the hood scoop on the S. Also timing chain tensioners causing a cold start rattle and power windows on the 2008.

We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

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

MINI Cooper reliability ratings and comparisons (http://www.truedelta.com/car-reliability.php?stage=pt&bd=MINI&mc=211)