Is the UK facing a pothole crisis? If you’ve seen the news over the last few years it’d be easy to assume it was and some data from our latest study drives home the worrying facts!
If you’re looking to sell your vehicle, the state of roads across the country could cause a problem for you to get the best price.
Data we sourced through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, showed that there were a jaw-dropping 815,402 potholes reported in the UK alone in 2023, although some sources say it could be as high as ONE MILLION, a 24% increase in the past five years!
But the number of craters could just be the tip of the iceberg as our data goes deeper to see just how problematic these pesky road breaks are.
When looking at the combined depth of the potholes it equates to 23 MILES – a huge amount on its own but when the depth is flipped into height we see the real magnitude of the issue. Our data has revealed that these damaging craters are equivalent to:
- Four times the height of Mount Everest
- 115 times the height of the Eiffel tower
- Or a staggering 25,555 Ford Fiestas would have to be stacked on top of each other to reach the height
These shocking figures are a sign that there’s a serious pothole problem that road users need to be aware of especially if you’re looking to sell your vehicle.
For those concerned about pothole damage, our national car buying manager, Warren Edwards, shares his tips on what checks to perform if you have hit a pothole.
Our free valuation service is the first step to parting ways and bringing on some money for your old motor.
What areas of the car to check after driving over a pothole
- Tyres
- Wheels
- Steering
- Alloys
- Suspension
Check your vehicle’s tyres
If your vehicle has hit a pothole with significant force and speed, your tyres could have a puncture. This can lead to a loss of air pressure which could affect the grip of your tyres, making it feel much harder to drive. It’s important to carry out regular checks to your tyres, as ones that are under-inflated won’t be able to absorb as much impact, which could lead to costly repairs.
Tyre damage can sometimes be hard to spot, so if you’re unsure on what you’re looking for, take it to your nearest garage where they will be able to conduct proper checks.
Check your wheel's rims
If your vehicle has been subject to pothole damages, it’s important to check your wheels and rims as soon as possible. When hit with abrupt force, wheel rims can become bent, which can cause added pressure on the actual tyre, leading to your tyre blowing out.
When checking over your wheel rims, look for any cracks that may be present. Cracks in your wheels can cause your tyre to lose its airtight seal, making it unsafe to drive. If you find any damage to your wheel rims, take it to a mechanic for fixing or a new one to be fitted.
Check your steering
There are a number of parts that can be damaged on a vehicle when hitting a pothole at speed and one of the most common things are issues with your steering. After impact, you may notice sudden changes and vibrations to the road's surface that can cause your vehicle's internal components to be out of place.
If you suspect that your steering has become jarred, it’s best to get it checked out by a professional before getting back on the road.
Check your alloys
The wheels of your vehicle will often face the brunt of a pothole, so once you’re in a safe location, it’s important to check them over. As well as wheel misalignment, potholes can often cause cracks in your alloys. When your alloys become cracked, they can easily escalate to causing your wheels to blowout.
Alloy wheels need to be in good condition so that the structural integrity of your vehicle, keeps up its driving quality. Alloys not only allow for smoother steering but will also assist you in turning corners and manoeuvres with ease. Once you’ve done a thorough check of your alloys for any damage caused by the pothole, you can continue driving if everything looks okay, but you may want to get a second opinion if there’s any marks on the alloys.
Check your suspension
The impact caused by the wheel of your vehicle falling into a pothole can cause significant damage to the suspension, and in some cases can knock your wheels out of alignment. If you can tell that your wheels have become misaligned, it is best not to drive it until the issue has been resolved with your garage.
Not only can it cause lasting damage, but a misaligned car can cause your suspension to scrub, which means that your car can resist the surface of the road, which can ultimately decrease your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
How to claim for pothole damage
If a pothole has caused significant damage to your vehicle, you may want to look at making a claim for the repairs. It’s important to know that making a claim is dependent on where the road is and the type of road it is. When you contact the organisation responsible, there will be a number of pieces of information that you need to supply to them from, the damage caused, why you think they are responsible, the exact location where it took place along with the date and time the damage was caused.
For more information on making a claim, visit the gov.uk site for further details.
If you’re looking to sell your vehicle with Money4YourMotors, check out what type of vehicles we accept.
