Why Potholes Are Bad For Your Car
Why potholes are bad for your car
Potholes can cause significant damage to vehicles, particularly if they are large in size and are driven over at high speeds. The best thing to do is avoid driving over them entirely, although this is often not possible.
Hitting a pothole can damage various components of your vehicle, particularly the:
- Tyres.
- Wheels.
- Suspension.
- Steering.
- Undercarriage.
Discover the impact of driving over potholes, what to do if you spot damage, and how to prevent the need for costly repairs.
How are potholes formed?
Potholes are caused by a couple of reasons, though primarily they form when water under the road freezes during cold temperatures, and therefore break the road surface. When cars then drive over the damaged road, the surface weakens, leading to damage and eventually forming a pothole.
More reasons potholes can form include:
- Traffic stress and repeated pressure on weakened pavements.
- Aged and older roads that are prone to cracking, leading to water infiltration and compromising structural integrity.
- Inadequate draining accelerates deterioration.
- Poor maintenance: rushed, individual pothole repairs rather than fully resurfacing the road.
- Low-quality asphalt used in repairs.
How many potholes are there in the UK?
The RAC estimated that over 1 million potholes exist throughout the UK. In England and Wales, that's 6 potholes per mile on council-controlled roads.
So, it's really no wonder why 26,048 pothole-related breakdowns occured in 2025. But how can you avoid being part of that statistic and dealing with expensive repairs?*
How to report a pothole
If you spot a pothole, whether it's along your daily commuter route or somewhere you've never been, make sure to report it to prevent damage to unsuspecting vehicles.
There's no set size of pothole that you can't report, however, councils mostly want to hear about potholes measuring:
- Deeper than 25mm (2.5cm) and wider in diameter than 200mm (20cm) for a pavement/cycle path.
- Deeper than 40mm (4cm) and wider in diameter than 200mm (20cm) for a road.
Other circumstances where you're encouraged to report a pothole, regardless of size, includes:
- Outside schools.
- Near pedestrian crossings.
- In cycle lanes.
- Near bus stops.
- And more.
You can report a pothole on the government website or National Highways.
It can also be useful to include:
- A photo with stacked coins or a ruler to show depth.
- A note specifing circumstances if it's somewhere particularly dangerous.
How to make a pothole claim
You can also claim for pothole-related vehicle damage by contacting the organisation responsible for maintaining the road.
It's essential that drivers pull together as much evidence as possible before submitting the claim such as:
- Photo evidence (if safe to do so).
- The exact location of the pothole.
The chances of successfully claiming compensation largely depend on whether the pothole has been previously reported.
When collecting pothole evidence, always follow the law. Do not measure potholes on motorways or any other dangerous locations where stopping is illegal or unsafe!
If you have fully comprehensive vehicle insurance, you may be able to make a pothole-related damage claim to your insurer.
What happens when your car hits a pothole?
Potholes can cause an array of vehicle damage, including the following:
1. Punctures
Pothole punctures are one of the most common types of damage caused by a pothole. If a vehicle drives over a pothole too quickly, the impact can cause the tyre to crack.
This leads to a puncture and loss of air pressure, which could be manifest as a slow puncture or a sudden blowout, which is why it''s vital to get your tyres checked quickly after hitting a pothole at high speeds.
Underinflated tyres can reduce:
- Vehicle handling.
- Fuel efficiency.
- Braking performance - and more!
If the puncture is in the central 3/4 of the tyre, you may be able to repair and salvage your tyre. You can book a puncture repair today at National Tyres as the cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option.
However, if the puncture is not in the central 3/4, particularly if it's in the sidewall, it will not be possible to repair the tyre as the structural integrity is compromised.
You can explore a huge range of brands aimed at a wide variety of budgets at National Tyres for a fresh set of tyres.
2. Tyre bulges
Hitting a pothole at speed can also cause a tyre bulge. A tyre bulge is where the tyre sidewall has been weakened or damaged. This can lead to the tyre popping or deflating, leading to a loss of control of your vehicle and increased risk of a road collision.
3. Tread separation
If you hit the hard edge of a pothole, your tyre can compress against the wheel and cut the rubber. This may then allow your tread to peel from the sidewall, which is very dangerous for road safety.
4. Suspension damage
Potholes can cause damage to your suspension system as it forces it to exceed its normal operating range.
- As the tyre drops into the pothole, your suspension must suddenly extend or rebound. This can strain your shock absorbers.
- Alternatively, if your tyre hits a pothole edge, it can create mechanical stress forcing suspension components to bend or brake.
If your car is bouncing whilst driving, then the suspension or shock absorbers may have broken. This can be very dangerous as it:
- Reduces braking distance.
- Can cause you to lose control of the car whilst driving.
You can book a FREE suspension check at National Tyres to identify any issues and reduce long-term costs.
Book your free suspension check
5. Wheel damage
A pothole may bend, buckle, or crack your wheel and/or alloys. This can lead to air leaks in tyres and worsen vehicle handling, even leading to a blowout.
Hitting a pothole can also alter your wheel alignment, leading to:
- Steering wheel vibration.
- Your vehicle pulling over to one side.
- Uneven tyre wear.
- Poorer fuel economy.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you can book a wheel alignment service today (standard or 4-wheel) for smoother rides.
To check if your wheels are in working condition, you’ll need to clean them and then carefully inspect for any cracks or bends.
How can you prevent potholes from damaging your car?
The main way to prevent any damage from being done by potholes is to reduce your speed when driving over them.
At a slower speed:
- You are less likely to cause any damage to your vehicle.
- You’ll have more control over the car.
- Less likely to trigger tyre punctures.
If a pothole is very deep and wide, you may want to avoid it by driving around the pothole. However, only do this if it is safe to do so. Assess the road ahead carefully and be mindful of your surroundings.
Further tips on what to do if you encounter a pothole include:
- Keeping an eye out, particularly during wet weather where potholes are hidden by puddles, and cold weather when many form.
- Maintain your distance - by keeping a proper distance between yourself and the car in front, you have a greater chance of spotting potholes in advance.
- Avoid unecessary braking - applying the brakes when driving over a pothole can place greater stress on your suspension.
- Hold your steering wheel in the '10 to 2' position to maintain full vehicle control.
- Stop in a safe place - whether you're checking damage or retrieving lost parts, pull over in a safe and legal area first.
- Get your car professionally checked - with a range of free checks at National Tyres, there's no reason not to!
- Continue to regularly check your tyre pressure - underinflated tyres are even more vulnerable to potholes.
Free Tyre Check
If your car has hit a pothole, it's essential to get your vehicle checked as soon as possible. At your local National Tyres autocentre, we can carry out a range of free vehicle checks, including a free tyre check.
During your free tyre check, our experts will inspect your:
- Tyre pressure.
- Tyre tread depth.
- Overall tyre condition, including signs of uneven wear or punctures.
Make sure your car is in a safe condition after hitting a pothole, and book your free check online as soon as possible.
*https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/rac-pothole-index-statistics-data-and-projections/
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