What causes potholes and why does the UK have so many?

The cost of repairing vehicles damaged by potholes has hit a record high, according to newly-released figures.

The AA said that the total cost of fixing vehicles it attended in the UK which had broken down because of poor road surfaces in 2024 was £579m – up from £474m during the previous 12 months.

While there was a slight fall in the number of incidents, from 647,690 to 643,318, the AA said there was in increase in cost due to a rise in average repair bills – up from £250 to £300. The breakdown service said this was a combination of inflation, more advanced technology in cars and shortages of spare parts.

Common problems caused by potholes include damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.

Another breakdown rescue company, the RAC, said the number of pothole-related callouts it received between October and December was 17% more than in the previous three months.

It warned that the issue could worsen this year because of recent severe weather, which last week meant the RAC had one of its busiest periods for breakdowns in the past five years.

The figures come after local councils were urged to "get on with the job" of fixing potholes as the government announced £1.6bn to fill potholes and repair roads, saying the funding would help fix the equivalent of over 7 million extra potholes in 2025 to 2026.

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Last year, a report warned that roads in England and Wales are reaching "breaking point", with the rate of potholes needing repairs reaching an eight-year high.

Research by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) showed the amount needed to fix a backlog of local road repairs had reached a record £16.3bn, up 16% from £14.0bn the previous year.

Figures obtained from councils across the country by the Liberal Democrats showed there is a "postcode lottery" when it comes to fixing potholes.

What is a pothole and how do they form?

A pothole is a depression in a road surface caused by wear or sinking.

They start out as tiny cracks in the surface but can grow if not fixed.

The friction of vehicles' tyres on a road heats up the surface and causes it to expand.

Over a period of time, this expansion leads to cracks in the surface. Water can then seep into these cracks. Potholes are formed when the water in those cracks freezes and thaws.

Why does the UK have so many potholes?

The UK is more susceptible to potholes because of its climate.

Cold and wet weather, particularly during the winter months, means water can get into those cracks in the road and then freeze, eventually leading to potholes.

The heavy road use and traffic on the UK's roads is also a factor.

Councils also have tight budgets to fix potholes.

How to report potholes?

Anyone who wishes to report a pothole can go to the government's dedicated website for the problem.

From there, they will be directed to their local council's pothole reporting service, where they can fill in an online form.

To report the pothole, they need the location of the pothole and details of its size. They must also upload any pictures of the pothole.

Councils vow to inspect the area identified within about three to five working days.

If the pothole is on a motorway or an A road then reports should be directed to Highways England.

In Wales, roads are managed by Traffic Wales, while potholes in Scotland can be reported at My Gov Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, potholes can be reported through the NI Direct website.

How to claim for pothole damage?

The government says motorists may be able to claim compensation if their vehicle is damaged by a road.

They should contact the organisation responsible to tell them about the damage, why they think they are responsible and details of where and when the damage was caused.

According to the AA, motorists should start by reporting the pothole to their local authority.

After having their car repaired, they may be able to claim compensation from the council.

Motorists should inform the council of the location of the pothole and include details of quotes, invoices and receipts for their repairs.

If the claim is rejected, motorists can appeal.

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