I wanted more up-to-date auto reliability information that included actual repair rates. So in late 2005 I started getting people together to make this possible. Results are updated four times a year, to track cars closely as they age.

So far among premium roadsters the Z3, Z4, Boxster, TT, and Corvette are in the survey, but the Mercedes SLK is not. We don't have quite enough owners signed up to participate yet.

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 SLK, free of charge.

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

Car reliability research

 

48 SLK owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to cover all model years.

To help get your year included:

Car reliability research

 

Results have been posted for the Boxster, Z4, and TT. I'd like also cover the SLK--just a matter of getting more owners involved.

 

Just 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 May, with a preview for participants in mid-April.

Car reliability research

 

The 2005 is now only six cars away from getting started.

 

And now 91.

 

slowly but steadily gaining. 99 now signed up, and the 2005 is only two cars short of the minimum needed to get started.

 

The 2005 is now in the survey, and other years are closer.

 

We've updated our reliability stats for the SLK to include owner experiences through June 30, 2013.

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

2005 SLK: 28, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates later this month and in February.

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

Mercedes-Benz SLK reliability ratings and comparisons

 

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

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

2005 SLK: 49, low, very small sample size

We'll have further updates later this month 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 SLK reliability ratings and comparisons