Smart ForTwo Reliability (please sign up)

[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 it's possible to provide reliability information on new models quickly.

I'd like to have results for the Smart ForTwo as quickly as possible, so I'm grateful that this forum has offered to help get the word out to owners. The survey email for this month goes out later today. If a few more Smart owners sign up, I'll go ahead and include the ForTwo in it.

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

P.S.: If you don't have your Smart yet, you can sign up now with your current car. Just send me an email when the Smart arrives, and I'll make the swap.

[MinnySmart]

I signed up, but still don't have my car. Just wanted you to know that this is a great idea, and as soon as I get mine, I'll report everything. Should be 1-3 months.

[kwagar]

Signed up and entered fuel mileage information.
No shop trips yet.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by MinnySmart

I signed up, but still don't have my car. Just wanted you to know that this is a great idea, and as soon as I get mine, I'll report everything. Should be 1-3 months.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

If you don't yet have the car, you can report odometer readings of -1 (for both the beginning and end of the month) to avoid follow-up emails.

A reminder: the first month then at the end of each quarter an approximate odometer reading is needed to include a car in the analysis. It takes less than a minute.

I have added the ForTwo to this month's survey. If we have enough responses in the next three months, we'll have a result in May.

[skyzdlimit59]

Wonderful idea! I'll sign up as soon as I receive delivery - soon I hope.

[E-SMART]

(an '06 Mazda3) nice info on the site, will add my smart once delivered ...

[angel]

Still reporting for my current vehicle. Looking forward to changing mine to a smart this year.

Glad you found the site here to get more information about the smart on there.

[dancote]

I signed up last Fall and I encourage all of you to participate. The site is very well done and the information will only be as good as we make it. This is a golden opportunity to contribute to a body of facts and knowledge that will be invaluable to us all.

Big Thanks to you Michael

[mkaresh]

You're very welcome. And if you like what the site offers now, wait till spring...

Great response from this forum so far. Ten owners of the 2008 are now signed up, seven more than when I posted this thread. Pretty good for one day. If we can get that number to 40 or more in the next month, a result in May should be possible.

Vehicle reliability research

[mrbadexample]

hopefully i'll sell my old benz this weekend, offered it up for "sacrifice" on craigslist (got 3 bites in the first hour), hasn't sold in the last 3 weeks since i got my smart . i only drove mine 2 days so far for about 80 miles. no problems, no radio