A survey by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has found that the average driver spent £320 on pothole-related car repairs between 2023 and 2024.
Of the 1,855 drivers surveyed, 26% said they had spent £200 in the last year on repairing pothole-related damage, with 24% spending between £300 and £600.
Damaged components included suspension parts, steering components, and tyres.
5% of motorists had spent more than £1,000 on repairing pothole damage in the last year, and 22% of motorists said that their vehicle needs annual pothole-related repairs.
Damage was often found when a vehicle went in for an MOT or routing servicing.
Nicholas Lyes, policy and standards director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Potholes are not just a costly inconvenience; they pose a danger to motorists and cyclists alike.
“The financial burden on motorists due to pothole damage can be substantial, with many facing unexpected repair bills of hundreds of pounds.
“In 2023, there was a 12 percent year-on-year increase in the number of casualties where defective road surfaces where identified as a contributory factor.
“Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring the safety of our roads and reducing the economic impact on motorists and businesses alike.”
The survey also revealed that 52% of motorists think that the UK’s roads have deteriorated over the past 12 months, with 99% of motorists saying they are frequently forced to drive in the middle of the road, or swerve at the last minute, to avoid potholes.
Three-quarters of drivers admitted to braking sharply to avoid potholes.
This came after the Government announced a £1.6bn plan to improve the UK’s roads, and repair seven million potholes by 2026, however it is thought that this may not be enough.
The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), published a report earlier this year finding that £16.8bn was needed to bring the country’s roads to adequate condition, with 52% of local roads having less than 15 years of useable life left.
