Milton Keynes, 21 March 2023 – Škoda UK research has revealed more than a quarter (27%) of British motorists have had their car damaged by potholes, on the day the Asphalt Industry Alliance’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance report reveals the extent of pothole problems in England and Wales.
Škoda research revealed the average overall repair cost for a damaged vehicle as a result of a pothole exceeds £200. For drivers looking to avoid damaged roads and potential damage to their car, Škoda offers assistance with its Local Hazard Information Service. The advanced system – a feature of Škoda Connect online services – warns of poor road conditions ahead, and could potentially save drivers money on costly repairs.
Of the UK drivers who have experienced damage from a pothole, the most common issues were punctures (47%), followed by tracking misalignment (26%) and a cracked spring (22%). The regions encountering the most damage were the North East and South West of England, while the region in which the fewest vehicle repairs needed to be carried out was the East Midlands. The top issues drivers face by potholes are:
- Tyre puncture
- Tracking misalignment
- Cracked spring / broken shock absorber
- Buckled / bent wheel
- Damaged alloy wheel
= Damaged exhaust / catalytic converter
- Tyre sidewall bulge
- Broken power steering
- Lost hubcap
Škoda technology can help drivers avoid costly repairs by providing alerts when they are approaching or within an area with bad road surfaces via the Local Hazard Information Service. A feature of Škoda Connect, it can provide drivers with hazard warnings along their journey and is available in all current Škoda models.
The ALARM survey details that in the 2022-2023 financial year, 1.4 million potholes were filled in, the equivalent to one every 22 seconds*, however 72% of claims against authorities from motorists were pothole related.
Overall, £93.7 million was spent filling in potholes in 2022/23, but the report also found that one in every nine miles of the local road network in England and Wales is likely to require maintenance in the next 12 months.
