How Long Do Buicks Last?

Buicks have an average lifespan of 200,000 miles or 13 years—and the sleek, comfy Envision may be the most reliable Buick on the market.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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Offering power, luxury, and comfort, Buick has been one of the leading premium automobile manufacturers since its founding back in 1903. A Buick will generally last around 200,000 miles or 13 years.
Buick was ranked 3rd in J.D. Power's 2020 vehicle dependability study—making it the highest-ranking luxury brand on the list!
And while the brand itself ranks highly, all models are not created equal. Licensed broker and
car insurance
app
Jerry
has compiled all of the information you need to know about Buick longevity, including which models survive the longest, which break down early, and how to keep your Buick on the road. We'll even show you the easiest way to reduce your
Buick insurance costs
.
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Are Buicks reliable? 

Generally: Yes
While the brand isn't as popular as it was in the 1960s and 1970s, all indications are that it'll be around for a long time. That's because today's Buicks are great cars that are safe, dependable, reasonably priced, and pretty inexpensive to own.
Buicks can have a longer lifespan than their competitors, especially if you're willing to put in the time and effort to keep them in good working condition.

How many miles can a Buick last? 

Buick vehicles have an average lifespan of up to 200,000 miles.
Buick drivers report that their vehicles last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. That second number, however, should not be regarded as a firm deadline! In fact, if your car is properly maintained, it is not uncommon for a Buick to outlive the 250,000-mile mark.

How many years can a Buick last? 

A Buick's average lifespan is between 10 and 13 years. So Buick scores admirably when compared to the industry average of 11 years.
Buick owners also benefit from a low rate of repairs, with an average of 0.3 visits per year to a mechanic and only a 13% chance of the repair being severe.
Key Takeaway Depending on the age, type, and condition of your Buick, it might survive up to 250,000 miles—that’s 13 years or longer!

The most reliable Buick models

Buicks outperformed its competition in terms of dependability, coming in just over the industry average. But which of Buick's outstanding fleet vehicles are the most dependable?
The following factors influence a vehicle's reliability:
  • Recall frequency
  • Mechanical issues
  • Maintenance costs
By combining
J.D. Power’s
Quality & Reliability ratings with
Edmunds.com’s
True Cost to Own® estimates, we're analyzing each Buick's entire reliability and cost of ownership. Let's get into the specifics!

Envision 

Image of a silver Envision courtesy of Buick.
2021 starting price: $32,995
True cost to own (5 years): $53,645
J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 85/100
The
Envision
has been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earned a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Its low rate of repair and high safety ratings have made it the most reliable model offered by Buick.

Encore

Image of a black Encore courtesy of Buick.
2021 starting price: $24,395
True cost to own (5 years): $44,753
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 84/100
With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and an average annual repair cost of $466, the
Encore
has superb ownership costs. It also achieved a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, so the Encore is a rather dependable choice.

Encore GX

Image of a white Encore GX courtesy of Buick.
2021 starting price: $25,395
True cost to own (5 years): $42,980
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 82/100
Offering the semi-luxury attributes of Buick in a sleek, comfy package, the
Encore GX
is another Buick model with high safety ratings courtesy of the NHTSA. The Encore GX was also ranked the #2 Best Small SUV of 2021 by J.D. Power.

The least reliable Buick models

However, not every Buick can live as long as an Envision. Among Buick's less reliable cars, the Enclave stands out.

Enclave

A silver Enclave courtesy of Buick.
2021 starting price: $41,495
True cost to own (5 years): $57,873
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 78/100
The
Enclave
has the highest amount of complaints compared to other Buick models. The rate of severe and frequent repairs is rather high, and Repair Pal ranks it 24th out of 26th for midsize SUVs. The most common issue with Enclave involves transmission faults and problems with the check engine light.
Key Takeaway The Envision is probably the most dependable Buick, whereas the Enclave has more regular problems and recalls.

How to make your Buick last longer

In the end, the owner is the most significant factor affecting how long a car will last. If you have the funds, time, and desire, you can extend the life of your Buick by implementing these strategies:
  • Maintain your car per the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner's manual
  • Only use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts
  • Plan inspections regularly to catch any problems that may arise
  • Stay on top of your car's cleanliness to avoid weather-related wear and tear
  • Drive safely to prevent events that could reduce your vehicle's lifespan
MORE: How to make your car last longer

How to find affordable Buick insurance

Insurance is necessary to protect your vehicle, but it also raises the entire cost of ownership, especially for luxury brands like Buicks. Fortunately,
Jerry
, the
licensed broker
and car insurance comparison expert, can assist you in finding the most affordable Buick insurance coverage in less than a minute!
If you’re shopping for car insurance, Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute. Jerry gathers your information from your past insurer, so you're not responsible for any long forms or phone calls. 
Basically, you get all of the savings and coverage with none of the hassles! And by combining add-ons like OEM coverage or roadside assistance, you can help increase the lifespan of your car as well! 
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FAQs

Although Buicks can be driven for more than 200,000 miles with proper care, many dealers deem any car with more than 120,000 miles to be a "high-mileage" Buick. This is definitely not a hard and fast rule: in rare cases, mileages as low as 100,000 might be considered high.
Maintaining a Buick is a little pricier compared to other similar makes. Buick drivers can expect to pay about $608 per year on their car, which doesn’t take into account major repairs, insurance costs, and other factors.
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