Britain’s Pothole Crisis: Over 3 million reported in the last four years

• 2025 saw the lowest percentage of successful claims, with councils only paying compensation to 19% of claims, compared to 29% in 2024.
• Greater London, Glasgow and Highland were the areas that paid out the highest amount in compensation over the last four years.
• Potholes are now almost a daily hazard for millions of drivers, with almost half (49%) say they regularly have to swerve to avoid potholes. And more than 2 in 5 (43%) are concerned that potholes could cause a crash or injury.
• The vast majority of drivers (86%) have had to pay for repairs out of their own pocket, with the average pothole-related repair costing £175.
• With nearly 1 in 5 (18%) describing the council claims process as complicated, Confused.com has launched a pothole reporting tool to help motorists take action faster, guiding drivers directly to their local council to report potholes or submit a damage claim quickly and easily.

Over 3.4 million potholes were reported across the UK in the last four years, with more than 600,000 (18%) of these in 2025 alone, new data reveals.

That’s according to new data obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests, which found that 144,230 compensation claims have been made to UK councils for pothole damage between 2022 and 2025¹. As a result, councils have had to pay out a total of more than £11 million over this period, including £1.1 million in 2025 alone.

While hundreds of thousands of drivers report potholes each year, the amount of successful compensation claims is falling sharply. Overall, 2025 saw the lowest percentage of successful claims, with councils paying out on just 19% of claims, down from 29% the previous year.

However, some areas across the UK have paid out more than half a million pounds in compensation over the past four years. Below are the five areas with the highest total claims payouts.

Some parts of the UK tend to be worse for potholes than others. Below are the top 5 worst areas in the UK for potholes, based on the total number of pothole reports.

Councils appear to be taking the growing number of reports seriously, stepping up efforts to improve road conditions across the country. In 2025, UK councils repaired 990,840 potholes. Unsurprisingly, Greater London, West Yorkshire and Devon also ranked among the top areas for pothole repairs. Over the same period, West Yorkshire fixed 285,545 potholes, Greater London repaired 245,415, and Devon completed 221,818 fixes.

Further research shows how potholes have become a regular part of life on the roads, affecting millions of drivers each year. According to a new survey of 2,000 drivers, over half (53%) of motorists feel road conditions are worse now than in previous years. More than 1 in 5 (22%) say they drive over potholes every day, while 2 in 5 (41%) encounter them several times a week.

And after January set the monthly record for the highest recorded rainfall², roads have been severely affected. Nearly two thirds (60%) stated that it’s during winter when they notice potholes on the roads to be worse.

For many, this constant exposure is changing the way they drive. Almost half (49%) say they regularly have to swerve to avoid potholes, and a similar proportion (47%) have had to brake or reduce their speed because of them. Consequently, more than 2 in 5 (43%) are concerned that potholes could cause a crash or injury.

The financial impact is also clear for drivers. Over a quarter (28%) have suffered a flat tyre or puncture after hitting a pothole, while around 1 in 5 (21%) have experienced tracking or alignment issues. This has led the vast majority of drivers (86%) to pay for repairs themselves. On average, drivers say their most recent pothole-related repair cost £175 out of pocket.

Yet recovering those costs isn’t always straightforward. Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) describe the council claims process as complicated, and more than a third (36%) believe the process should be clearer. Those who were successful in claiming received £242 on average, which is slightly more than the typical repair bill.

While some motorists question the system itself, others point to funding pressures. Over a third (36%) believe local authorities don’t appear to have enough funding to properly repair potholes properly, while over 1 in 5 (22%) think funding is available but isn’t being used effectively. In the Autumn Budget, the government recognised the influx of potholes creating dangerous scenarios for many UK drivers and announced that £7.3bn will be allocated to fix roads over the next four years³.

Overall, the findings underline just how embedded the pothole problem has become in everyday driving, with motorists facing frequent disruptions, unexpected repair bills and ongoing uncertainty around how effectively roads are being maintained. While funding has been pledged, many drivers still want clearer processes and greater accountability.

To help, Confused.com has launched a pothole reporting tool to make the next steps simpler. It shows key pothole data from your local council, including reports, repairs and compensation claims, and directs users to the relevant page to report an issue or make a claim, so they can quickly take action.

Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, comments:

“Potholes continue to be a major concern for drivers across the UK, particularly after periods of harsh weather that can accelerate damage to road surfaces. Many motorists are still experiencing disruption caused by deteriorating road conditions, which can lead to vehicle damage and unexpected repair costs. Our research shows that the vast majority of drivers (86%) have had to pay for repairs out of their own pocket, with the average pothole fix costing £175.

“While local authorities are responsible for maintaining roads, funding and resource pressures mean repairs can sometimes take time. For drivers, this makes it even more important to stay alert behind the wheel. If your car is damaged by a pothole, you should gather evidence and first check whether you can make a claim through the relevant local council. If that is unsuccessful, you may need to explore your insurance options, although it is worth considering the potential impact on future premiums, as well as your excess costs.

“Our pothole reporting tool makes it quick and simple for drivers to view their local council pothole data and report road damage directly to them, helping ensure issues are flagged to the appropriate authority as soon as possible. Reporting potholes not only supports quicker repairs but also helps protect other road users from potential damage.”

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Notes to editors