St. BerthaMotor Sound Archive
A public index of ordinary machines

Hear what cars like yours actually sound like.

Compare standardized recordings from the engine bay, cabin, and tailpipe—organized by year, make, model, mileage, and eventual repair outcome.

Recent sound sets

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The recording standard

Three positions. Same conditions. Better comparisons.

For your first set, use warm idle throughout. Park outdoors, set the parking brake, and keep the phone clear of hot or moving parts. Use the same phone and recording app at every position, without filters or noise reduction.

01 / Hood open

Engine bay

With the hood open, hold the phone about 24 inches above the front edge of the engine. Record for 20–30 seconds. For a cold start, begin recording before the engine starts and label it separately from warm idle.

02 / Doors closed

Cabin

Phone at the driver’s head position, climate control and radio off. Record for 20–30 seconds in the same operating condition.

03 / Behind vehicle

Tailpipe

Phone 36 inches behind and slightly to the side of the outlet. Record for 20–30 seconds outdoors, away from the exhaust stream.