How We Create Our Reliability Scores

Our Approach to Reliability Scoring

At WIBD, we believe that every vehicle deserves an honest, comprehensive reliability assessment. Our scoring system combines extensive research into vehicle reliability data with the specific details about the car you're evaluating. We don't rely on a single source of information—instead, we analyze multiple contexts to give you the most accurate picture possible.

Our reliability scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better reliability and lower expected maintenance costs. But unlike simple ratings that only look at brand reputation, our scores are personalized to reflect the actual vehicle you're considering—its age, mileage, history, and current condition all play a crucial role.

Step 1: Understanding the Model's Track Record

We start by analyzing the fundamental reliability of the make, model, and year you're researching. This foundation score comes from real-world data, not assumptions.

We dig into thousands of owner experiences shared on automotive forums and review sites, gathering insights about common issues and long-term satisfaction. We review documented failure rates and maintenance cost data from trusted automotive sources. When there are known design issues—recalls, technical service bulletins, or well-documented problems specific to certain model years—we factor those in too. And we consider assessments from automotive experts, mechanics, and industry publications who work with these vehicles every day.

This gives us a baseline understanding of how reliable this particular model typically is. A Toyota Camry from 2015 generally has an excellent reliability reputation, while a certain European luxury vehicle from the same year might have known issues that affect its score.

Step 2: Personalizing for Your Specific Vehicle

Here's where our scores become truly valuable—we adjust the assessment based on the specific vehicle you're evaluating. The same model can have very different reliability scores depending on how it's been cared for and what it's been through.

Mileage Matters

A vehicle's mileage tells a story about wear and tear. A well-maintained Toyota with 50,000 km is in a completely different reliability category than the same model with 200,000 km. We look at how the current mileage compares to typical failure points for major components, whether critical maintenance intervals have been reached, and what the expected remaining lifespan looks like for major systems.

Service History and Maintenance

A vehicle with complete service records and regular maintenance is significantly more reliable than one with an unknown or incomplete history. We look for documented service history showing regular oil changes and fluid replacements, evidence that major services have been completed (like timing belt or transmission service), signs of deferred maintenance or neglect, and whether critical recalls or service bulletins have been addressed.

Ownership History

The number of previous owners and how the vehicle was used can tell us a lot. Single-owner vehicles often show more consistent maintenance patterns. Multiple owners might indicate problems that led to quick resales. And fleet or rental vehicle history suggests higher wear and potential maintenance shortcuts.

Accident History

Accidents, even minor ones, can introduce long-term reliability issues. We consider the severity of any reported accidents, whether damage was properly repaired by qualified technicians, and the potential impact on safety systems, frame integrity, and component longevity.

Current Condition Indicators

If you mention current issues or concerns—warning lights, unusual noises, leaks, performance issues, or visible wear on critical components—these directly impact the reliability assessment. Your observations matter because you're seeing the vehicle right now, not reading about what it should be.

Remaining Warranty

Active warranty coverage provides protection against unexpected failures, which affects both immediate reliability concerns and long-term ownership costs.

Real Examples: How Context Changes Everything

Why This Approach Works

Our two-part scoring approach (model reputation + specific condition) gives you a realistic assessment that reflects reality. A reliable model that's been neglected is less reliable than a problematic model that's been meticulously maintained.

We consider your specific situation—the same vehicle in different conditions deserves different scores. This helps you make informed decisions because you understand both the model's typical performance and how this particular example compares. We don't inflate scores to make you feel good; accurate information protects you from costly surprises.

This is why two reports for the "same" vehicle can have different scores: because they're not actually the same vehicle. Mileage, history, condition, and your specific concerns all matter.

Our Commitment to Accuracy

We're committed to providing you with honest, accurate reliability assessments. Our scoring methodology uses the full 0-100 scale appropriately—excellent vehicles score high, problematic vehicles score low. We give weight to both model reputation and individual condition, and we take your inputs seriously. If you mention problems, they're factored into the assessment.

We're transparent about the factors that influence each score, and we continuously improve our methodology based on real-world feedback and updated reliability data. We understand that buying a used vehicle is a significant investment, and you deserve complete information to make the best decision.

Our scores are designed to help you avoid costly mistakes while identifying vehicles that offer genuine value and reliability.

Quality Control: Human Expertise in the Loop

While our AI-powered system generates initial reliability assessments, we don't rely on automation alone. Our team of automotive experts actively monitors reports and reviews outliers to ensure accuracy. When scores deviate from what they should be, or when patterns emerge that suggest our scoring system needs adjustment, our staff investigates and makes corrections.

This human-in-the-loop approach means we continuously tune our scoring system based on real-world outcomes and expert analysis. We review cases where scores don't align with expected results, analyze feedback from users, and refine our methodology to maintain the highest standards of accuracy.

This ongoing quality control process ensures that we always provide as accurate scores as possible, combining the efficiency of AI analysis with the judgment and expertise of human professionals who understand the nuances of vehicle reliability.

Understanding Your Score

Each report includes a detailed explanation of how the reliability score was determined. When you hover over the info icon next to the score, you'll see how the model's base reliability contributes to the score, what key factors specific to your vehicle influenced the assessment, and what the score means in practical terms for ownership.

We also provide comprehensive breakdowns of expected issues, maintenance costs, and ownership projections to help you understand not just the score, but what it means for your budget and peace of mind.

Questions or Feedback?

We're always working to improve our scoring methodology and the accuracy of our assessments. If you have questions about how your specific vehicle was scored, or if you have feedback that could help us improve, please don't hesitate to contact our support team.

Our goal is to help you make confident, informed decisions about vehicle purchases. By combining real-world reliability data with your specific vehicle's condition, we provide assessments that you can trust to guide your decision-making process.