· A fifth reported needing vehicle repairs at least once in the last 12 months a year due to pothole damage, often discovered during routine servicing or MOT checks

· Three quarters admitted to braking sharply to avoid potholes in the last year

· Almost all motorists have swerved at the last minute to avoid a pothole

Motorists are forking out thousands of pounds to repair pothole-related damage to their vehicles, according to new research by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

A survey of 1,855 IAM RoadSmart members[i] found that five percent of motorists spent more than £1,000 on repairs to damaged tyres, suspension, and steering, due to poor road conditions over the past 12 months.

A quarter (26%) of respondents said they stumped up to £200, and a further quarter (24%) spent between £300 and £600 on repairs. Based on the survey, drivers spent an average of £320 in between 2023 and 2024.

Over a fifth of (22%) motorists reported needing repairs at least once a year due to pothole damage, often discovered during routine servicing or MOT checks.

The state of the UK's roads is also affecting safe driving. Three quarters (74%) of motorists admitted to braking sharply to avoid potholes on journeys in the last 12 months, while almost all motorists (99%) admitted they were frequently forced to drive or ride in the middle of the road to avoid potholes or crumbling surfaces within their path.

The same proportion were found to have swerved at the last minute to dodge potholes, and almost all motorists (94%) confessed to taking their eyes off the road ahead over the last year looking out for potholes.

Unsurprisingly, the poll revealed that more than half (52%) of motorists think the roads have deteriorated in the past 12 months.

Earlier this year, the UK Government announced a £1.6 billion investment[ii] to improve road conditions and repair seven million potholes by 2026. However, research published earlier this year by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) revealed a one-off cost of £16.8bn[iii] was needed just to bring UK roads up to an adequate condition. Even worse, it found that 52% of local roads have less than 15 years useable life left in them.

IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director Nicholas Lyes said: "Potholes are not just a costly inconvenience; they pose a danger to motorists and cyclists alike. The financial burden on motorists due to pothole damage can be substantial, with many facing unexpected repair bills of hundreds of pounds. In 2023, there was a 12 percent year-on-year increase in the number of casualties where defective road surfaces where identified as a contributory factor. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring the safety of our roads and reducing the economic impact on motorists and businesses alike."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For interviews, contact the IAM RoadSmart press office on press.office@iam.org.uk / 020 8996 9777

About IAM RoadSmart

IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s largest road safety charity providing advanced driver and rider training. It has a vision of a society where all road users can safely use the public highways together.

IAM RoadSmart was formed in March 1956 and has around 70,000 members and 5,000 volunteers that support its campaigns on road safety. At any one time, there are more than 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses.

The charity also delivers courses in the workplace. To find out more about how IAM RoadSmart can help with fleet and work training visit

www.iamcommercial.co.uk

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart go to: www.iamroadsmart.com

Follow us:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IAMRoadSmart

X (formerly Twitter): @IAMRoadSmart

Media centre: https://media.iamroadsmart.com

References:

[i] IAM RoadSmart April opinion panel (research carried out by Online95) - IAM RoadSmart April Opinion Panel.xlsx (https://shorturl.at/eTSxS)

[ii] Government potholes announcement - PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8 billion for major roads - GOV.UK (https://shorturl.at/X9yhI)

[iii] Asphalt Industry Alliance report 2025 - Key Facts - AIA The Asphalt Industry Alliance (https://www.asphaltuk.org/key-facts)

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