A year ago, and again nine months ago and six months ago, the 2008 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook–GM’s “Lambda” large crossovers–had about half the repair rate of the 2007 Acadia and Outlook (the Enclave wasn’t offered as a 2007). A clear case of waiting for the second model year of a new design, right?

Maybe not. Three months ago there was a modest uptick in the repair rate for the 2008s, from 44 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year to 53. Meanwhile, the 2007s had dropped a bit, from a high of 100 a year ago to 84.

And in the latest results of TrueDelta’s Vehicle Reliability Survey, the 2008s increased again, to 63 successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year, while the 2007s improved again, to 74. The 2008s still require fewer repairs, but the difference is no longer substantial–about one extra repair trip for every ten vehicles.

Both model years now have average repair rates.

This isn’t entirely bad news for the 2008s. If the 2007s are actually requiring fewer repairs in their second year on the road, then the 2008s should do at least as well as they age. Their repair rate should not continue to increase, and might even decrease now.

We’ll find out with the next set of results, in February.