Potholes remain one of the biggest everyday hazards for UK drivers. Despite repeated promises of repairs and road improvement funding, many motorists still face broken road surfaces, deep cracks and sudden holes that can damage their vehicles in seconds.
For drivers, potholes are more than an irritation. They can lead to punctures, bent alloy wheels, damaged suspension and expensive repair bills — often with little warning.
This guide explains why potholes continue to cause problems across the UK, how they damage vehicles, and what steps drivers can take if they believe they have a claim.
Why potholes are still a major problem on UK roads
Potholes are still a widespread issue across local roads, A-roads and even some major routes. According to the latest ALARM road maintenance survey, local authorities repaired around 1.8 million potholes last year, down from roughly 2 million the year before.
That sounds like a large number, but it also highlights the scale of the problem. In many areas, repairs are struggling to keep pace with deterioration, particularly after periods of heavy rain, freezing conditions and increased traffic.
Driver frustration remains high, with many motorists reporting that temporary repairs often fail quickly and potholes reappear within days or weeks.
How potholes damage your car
Hitting a pothole at speed can create an immediate shock through the wheels and suspension. Even a relatively small defect can damage a vehicle if the edge is sharp enough or the road surface around it has weakened.
Common types of pothole damage include:
- Tyre punctures or sidewall splits
- Bent, cracked or scuffed alloy wheels
- Suspension wear or breakage
- Steering and wheel alignment problems
- Damage to shock absorbers, springs or control arms
In more serious cases, pothole damage can make a car unsafe to drive until it has been checked and repaired.
Why potholes form
Potholes usually begin as small cracks in the road surface. Once water gets into those cracks, the structure beneath the road starts to weaken. Over time, traffic pressure and temperature changes cause the surface to break apart.
The process usually looks like this:
- A crack forms in the road surface
- Water seeps below the surface
- Freezing and thawing weakens the material further
- Traffic pressure loosens the surface
- A pothole forms as the road collapses
This is one reason potholes often become worse during winter and early spring.
What counts as a pothole?
Many local authorities treat a road defect as a pothole once it reaches a certain depth, often around 40mm. However, not every pothole that damages a vehicle will automatically qualify for a successful compensation claim.
Authorities often assess both the size of the defect and whether it had already been reported or inspected before deciding how to respond.
Can you claim for pothole damage?
Possibly. If your car has been damaged by a pothole, you may be able to claim from the authority responsible for maintaining that road. This is usually the local council for local roads, while major roads may be managed by national bodies.
However, claims are not always straightforward. Councils and road authorities can defend claims if they show they had a reasonable inspection and maintenance process in place.
That means evidence is extremely important.
How to raise a pothole damage claim
If you believe a pothole caused damage to your car, follow these steps carefully.
- Record the exact location
Make a note of the road name, nearby landmarks, postcode if possible, and the direction you were travelling. - Take photographs if it is safe to do so
Photograph the pothole, the surrounding road surface, and any visible damage to your vehicle. Do not put yourself in danger to get photos. - Write down the details of what happened
Note the date, time, speed, road conditions, weather and how the impact occurred. - Get repair quotes or invoices
Ask a garage or tyre specialist to inspect the damage and keep copies of any estimates, invoices or receipts. - Contact the correct road authority
For local roads, this is usually the council. For major roads, use the appropriate reporting route such as the official government pothole reporting page. - Submit your claim in writing
Include all evidence, photos, repair costs and a clear explanation of why you believe the authority is responsible. - Keep copies of everything
Save all correspondence, claim forms, photos and receipts in case you need to challenge a decision later.
What evidence helps a pothole damage claim?
The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of being taken seriously.
Useful evidence includes:
- Clear photographs of the pothole
- Photos of the vehicle damage
- Garage inspection reports
- Repair invoices or quotes
- A written timeline of the incident
- Evidence that the pothole had already been reported, if available
You can also check whether the pothole has been reported using tools such as FixMyStreet, which may help support your case.
What if your claim is rejected?
It is not unusual for a pothole damage claim to be rejected initially. Authorities may argue that:
- The defect had not been reported before
- It did not meet their intervention threshold
- They had followed a reasonable inspection schedule
If you believe your claim is strong, you may be able to challenge the decision, submit additional evidence, or seek independent advice. In more serious cases, some drivers choose to pursue the matter through the small claims process.
Should you claim on your insurance instead?
If the repair bill is significant, some drivers consider claiming through their comprehensive car insurance. This may help cover the cost of repairs, depending on your policy terms.
However, claiming on insurance may involve paying your excess and could affect future premiums. For that reason, many motorists first look at whether the road authority may be liable.
Having the right cover in place remains important if unexpected damage occurs.
How to stay safe around potholes
You cannot always avoid potholes, but careful driving can reduce the risk of damage.
- Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
- Slow down on roads with poor surfaces
- Avoid sudden swerving unless it is clearly safe
- Check tyre pressures regularly
- Be extra cautious in wet weather when potholes are harder to see
How to report a pothole
Reporting potholes can help prevent further damage to other vehicles and may strengthen the case for repairs.
You can usually report potholes through your council’s website. Alternatively, FixMyStreet allows drivers to report road defects using a postcode or map pin.
For major roads, the official gov.uk pothole reporting service can direct you to the correct authority.
Key takeaways
- Potholes continue to damage thousands of vehicles across the UK
- Common damage includes tyres, wheels, suspension and steering
- You may be able to claim from the authority responsible for the road
- Photographs, invoices and accurate notes are essential evidence
- HowTo-style claim preparation can improve your chances of success