Statistical evidence is often needed to show that a proposed product meets or exceeds its reliability goals. Many times, such evidence must be obtained in a compressed time period. Accelerated use-rate testing might be appropriate in testing other products such as photocopiers, printers, bicycles and laptop computers. A new model motor had been built for use in washing machines. Skilled design engineers used top quality materials and state-of-the-art methods to correct reliability problems on previous designs. They also performed short highly accelerated life tests, subjecting components and a few prototype motors to intensive temperature cycling, vibration and overvoltage conditions to discover, understand and remove potential failure modes. Physical evaluation indicated that a manufacturing defect was the root cause of its four failures. All failed motors, plus a sample of the unfailed ones, were taken apart and evaluated to obtain information to improve future product reliability.