New National Pothole Day data highlights urgent need for long-term repair strategy

Drivers across the UK are being hit harder than ever by the cost of pothole damage, as new analysis released on National Pothole Day (Thursday 15 January) reveals the total financial impact of potholes on vehicles rose to an estimated £589 million in 2025, up from £579 million in 2024 and £474 million in 2023.

UK road safety charity TyreSafe, a member of the Pothole Partnership, says the figures underline the growing economic and safety burden of deteriorating road surfaces and reinforce the urgent need for a long-term, permanent repair strategy.

The analysis is based on the latest AA Pothole Index, which shows the AA attended 613,638 pothole-related breakdowns in 2025 - an average of 1,681 every day - involving damage to tyres, wheels, steering and suspension.

Using the AA's established methodology and an updated average repair cost of £350 per incident, the direct cost of pothole-related repairs attended by the AA in 2025 is estimated at £215 million. When scaled to represent all UK drivers, this equates to approximately £645 million in vehicle repair costs, an increase of £66 million compared to 2024.

TyreSafe warns that these headline figures only capture part of the problem. Many pothole impacts do not result in immediate breakdowns but instead cause hidden tyre or wheel damage that later leads to premature tyre failure, MOT failures, increased running costs and avoidable safety risks.

Winter weather continues to exacerbate the issue. Heavy rainfall and freezing conditions mean potholes are often concealed beneath standing water, increasing the likelihood of impacts and making defects harder to avoid. Even low-speed strikes can compromise a tyre's internal structure, leaving road users unaware of the danger until a failure occurs.

Tyres - The hidden cost of potholes

TyreSafe highlights that tyres are often the first component damaged by potholes and one of the most expensive to replace. Driving on a damaged or weakened tyre significantly increases the risk of blowouts, loss of control and collisions - particularly at higher speeds.

TyreSafe continues to promote its ACT tyre safety message, urging drivers and riders to regularly check:

• Air pressure - Incorrect pressures increase wear, fuel use and damage risk
• Condition - Look for cuts, bulges or cracks, especially after an impact
• Tread - Ensure tread depth is legal and effective, particularly in wet conditions

The charity also advises all road users to check their tyres as soon as it is safe to do so after hitting a pothole and to seek professional inspection if there is any doubt.

Calls for long-term solutions

On National Pothole Day, the Pothole Partnership - founded by the AA, JCB, British Cycling and the National Motorcyclists Council, and supported by TyreSafe, IAM RoadSmart and the British Motorcyclists Federation - is calling for a step change in road maintenance standards.

The Partnership is urging local authorities and contractors to move away from short-term "patch and run" repairs and instead adopt permanent solutions, including five-year warranties on all non-emergency pothole repairs, to ensure defects stay fixed and public money is spent more effectively.

The call comes as the Government this week announced a new traffic-light rating system to show how well councils are maintaining their local road networks, alongside a record £7.3 billion investment in local road maintenance.

Commenting on the need for longer-term thinking, Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander MP said, "I'm making sure councils can move away from short-term repairs to long-term maintenance, saving drivers money but also making sure taxpayer money is being spent effectively."

"Potholes are no longer just a frustration - they are a growing financial and road safety problem," said Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe. "Rising repair costs show the real-world impact of roads that are allowed to deteriorate. Tyres often absorb the brunt of pothole damage, and unseen defects can quickly turn into dangerous failures. Regular tyre checks after an impact are essential, but road users also need confidence that repairs will last. Long-term maintenance is critical if we are serious about reducing costs, preventing incidents and protecting lives."

TyreSafe urges road users to remain vigilant this winter, prioritise tyre maintenance and support calls for a repair strategy that delivers safer, more resilient roads.

For more information on tyre safety advice and resources, visit www.tyresafe.org [1].