MSN Autos Raises the
Bar on Reliability
For most consumers, reliability ranks
almost as high as price as a top "buy
indicator" when shopping for a used car or
truck.
"Buying someone else's problems" was
clearly identified as a chief reason new-car
buyers resisted purchasing used cars,
according to focus-group research conducted
by J.D. Power and Associates.
MSN Autos' reliability ratings help
offset this concern by clearly identifying
key problem areas in best-selling used cars,
complete with "reparability" information
that includes estimated repair costs.
In combination with MSN Autos'
interactive Kelley Blue Book pricing reports
and Used Car Marketplace classifieds, the
new Reliability Ratings make MSN Autos the
Web's most useful site for used-vehicle
shoppers.
Rating Seven Essential
Systems
MSN Autos rates the mechanical reliability
of each of a car's seven essential systems.
These systems are the Engine; Transmission &
Driveline; Steering & Suspension; Brakes;
Heating & Air Conditioning; Starting &
Charging; and Accessories.
If a system has a reputation for
problems, their nature and severity are
described—in everyday language ordinary car
owners can easily understand. Not only that,
MSN Autos provides cost estimates for the
parts and labor needed to make repairs.
Overall Reliability
Ratings
MSN Autos also combines each system's rating
to yield an at-a-glance Overall Reliability
Rating for each vehicle, so users can
compare makes and model years easily. Then,
too, the ratings of all vehicles are
analyzed to provide Best of Class Ratings
for individual vehicles with the highest
reliability scores in their category—e.g.
Sports Cars.
For more background information, read
about how
MSN Autos' Reliability Ratings are
determined.
