The number of drivers seeking reimbursement for vehicle damage caused by potholes has hit a record low, with data highlighting the regions in the UK most affected by this issue.
According to Confused.com, only 19% of drivers who filed complaints about pothole-related damage received compensation from councils across the UK, marking a decrease from 29% in 2024. Some areas in the UK have even lower compensation rates than the national average of 19%, with nearly half of drivers reporting having to swerve regularly to avoid potholes while driving.
Devon topped the list for the highest number of potholes reported between 2022 and 2025, with 210,754 cases, yet only 15% of damage claims in that region were approved. In West Yorkshire, 191,001 pothole incidents were reported during the same period, but councils there only compensated 11% of the damage claims.
Other heavily affected regions included Northumberland, Greater London, and Dumfries and Galloway, as shown in data from Confused.com. Interestingly, the areas with the most potholes did not always align with those providing the highest compensation amounts to affected drivers between 2022 and 2025.
Greater London led in compensating drivers for pothole damage, with a total payout of £1.29 million, followed by East Sussex with £642,338 and Glasgow with £606,492. Highland Council and Oxfordshire also featured in the top five, collectively paying out over half a million pounds to affected drivers. The UK has reported over three million potholes in the past four years.
Matt Crole-Rees, a motoring expert at Confused.com, emphasized the ongoing concern of potholes for UK drivers, particularly after severe weather conditions that can worsen road surfaces. He highlighted the disruption and unexpected repair costs experienced by many motorists due to deteriorating road conditions.
In the 2025 Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged £2 billion annually by 2029-30 to local authorities for repairing and fixing potholes.
Drivers affected by poor road conditions seeking compensation from local authorities can follow five steps to file a claim for pothole-related damage. These steps include documenting the road damage location, date, and time of incident, taking images of the damage, submitting a formal claim to the appropriate authority, awaiting a response, and seeking legal advice if unsatisfied with the outcome. Additionally, drivers with comprehensive insurance cover can explore claiming through their insurance provider, considering factors like no claims bonuses and excess payments.