The UK's pothole crisis shows no signs of improving. Councils face an £18.6 billion repair backlog, pothole damage cost drivers an estimated £645 million in 2025, and the average repair bill is £590. Here's what to do if your car is damaged.
Common Pothole Damage
Hitting a pothole at speed can cause serious damage:
- Tyres — Punctures, sidewall bulges and internal damage. This is the most common type of pothole damage.
- Wheels — Buckled or cracked alloy wheels, especially on low-profile tyres.
- Suspension — Damaged shock absorbers, broken springs, misaligned tracking.
- Steering — Knocked alignment causing the car to pull to one side.
- Bodywork — Underside scrapes and bumper damage from deeper potholes.
What to Do Immediately
- Stop safely and check for visible damage, especially tyres.
- Photograph everything — the pothole, any damage to your car, the road name and surroundings. Include something for scale (a coin or shoe next to the pothole).
- Note the exact location — road name, nearest house number or landmark, and the date and time.
- Report the pothole to the council or via fixmystreet.com — this creates a record that strengthens any future claim.
How to Claim Compensation
You can claim against the council responsible for maintaining the road. Here's how:
- Identify the responsible authority — local council for most roads, National Highways for motorways and major A-roads.
- Submit a claim in writing with your photos, repair receipts or quotes, and details of the incident.
- Be persistent — fewer than 10% of claims are paid out on first attempt. Councils often use a “Section 58 defence” claiming they had a reasonable inspection schedule.
Tips to Strengthen Your Claim
- Check if the pothole had been previously reported — if the council knew about it and didn't fix it, your claim is much stronger.
- Get multiple repair quotes from independent garages.
- Keep all receipts for repairs, hire cars and any related expenses.
- If rejected, appeal — many successful claims come after an initial rejection.
Prevention Is Better Than Repair
Keeping your tyres in good condition gives you the best chance of surviving a pothole without damage. Check your tread depth and pressures regularly — use our free tyre check to find the correct specifications for your car. Well-inflated tyres with good tread absorb impacts far better than worn or under-inflated ones.
If you suspect pothole damage has affected your suspension or steering, these issues will likely show up at your next MOT. Check your MOT history to see if any suspension advisories have been flagged previously.