Abstract This paper will review the different analysis scenarios that can be used when examining the reliability of repairable systems. Five different methods will be reviewed, specifically: 1) Using the mean value of the times between failure (TBFs) at the system level. 2) Using the distributions of the components of the system and creating a reliability block diagram (RBD). 3) Using the distribution of the times between failure (TBFs) at the system level. 4) Using the system level failure data and fitting the non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) model. 5) Using the system level failure data and fitting the general renewal process (GRP) model. In the paper, the five different methods will be discussed (brief background), and conclusions about the applicability and accuracy of each method will be given. In addition, this paper can be used to further understand the assumptions behind each analysis method, the data required and the type of results that can be obtained, thus assisting analysts in choosing the most appropriate method.