The cost of pothole damage to vehicles increased by more than £1m last year, according to the AA’s Pothole Index.
Data from the motoring organisation shows that damage costs were £579m in 2024, compared to £474m in 2023.
Increased costs were thought to be caused by factors like inflation, delays in the parts supply chain and more advanced technology in cars, as there was a slight fall in the number of pothole-related incidents attended by the AA last year.
Patrols attended 643,318 incidents involving damage thought to be caused by potholes in 2024, compared to 647,690 in 2023. Typically, these incidents involve damaged tyres, wheels, steering or suspension.
However, the RAC has reported that pothole-related breakdowns jumped by a fifth (17%) in the final three months of 2024 compared to the previous quarter.
Its patrols aided 4,709 drivers from October to December for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels, compared to 4,040 callouts in the three months before.
The RAC said this was despite fewer frost days and nearly a third (28%) less rainfall than average in the fourth quarter of 2024.
On National Pothole Day today, the Pothole Partnership, which involves The AA, British Cycling, JCB and the National Motorcyclists Council, has called for more permanent repairs and greater use of innovation and technology.
The partnership said it was pleased that the Government had pledged to hold back 25% of extra repairs cash this year until councils proved they were delivering more proactive maintenance – something councils have urged ministers to reconsider.
For more coverage of National Pothole Day, check out: Time to focus on permanent repairs
