In a recent release of data, it has been disclosed which regions have distributed the highest amounts of compensation for damages caused by road potholes.
Information acquired by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests highlights that UK councils faced 144,230 claims for pothole-related harm between 2022 and 2025. During this timeframe, these local authorities disbursed over £11 million in total, with £1.1 million being paid out in 2025. Over the past four years, a staggering 3.4 million potholes were identified across the UK, with 18% of those, totaling more than 600,000, being recorded in 2025 alone.
Despite the significant number of reported potholes, the percentage of successful compensation claims has notably decreased. The data showcases a decline in successful claims, with only 19% being approved in 2025 compared to 29% in the previous year.
Devon stands out as the region with the highest number of reported potholes between 2022 and 2025, with a total of 210,754 potholes, yet only 15% of damage claims were validated. West Yorkshire recorded 191,001 potholes, with a mere 11% of claims receiving compensation. In contrast, Northumberland had 151,485 reported potholes, of which 51% of claims were successfully approved, while Greater London accounted for 145,618 potholes reported, with a claim success rate of 36%.
Dumfries and Galloway reported 134,054 potholes, with 44% of claims being granted. Greater London topped the list for total claims payouts, with drivers receiving £1,294,566 over the four-year period, followed by East Sussex with £642,338 awarded to motorists. Glasgow, Highland Council, and Oxfordshire followed closely behind in terms of total compensation disbursed.
Throughout 2025, UK councils managed to repair 990,840 potholes, with Greater London, West Yorkshire, and Devon leading the way in pothole repairs. West Yorkshire successfully fixed 285,545 potholes, while Greater London and Devon carried out 245,415 and 221,818 repairs, respectively.
A recent survey of 2,000 drivers revealed that over half (53%) believe road conditions have worsened compared to previous years, with more than one in five (22%) encountering potholes on a daily basis. Additionally, two in five (41%) drivers come across potholes several times a week. However, reclaiming costs from pothole damage proves to be a challenging task.
Approximately 18% of respondents found the council claims process to be complex, and 36% expressed the need for clearer procedures. On average, successful claimants received £242, slightly surpassing the usual repair expenses.
Confused.com has introduced a pothole reporting tool that enables users to access local council pothole data, including reports, repairs, and compensation claims. This tool directs users to the relevant page for reporting road damage, facilitating prompt communication with the appropriate authorities.
Motoring expert Matt Crole-Rees from Confused.com advises individuals whose vehicles suffer pothole damage to gather evidence and explore potential compensation claims through the relevant local council. In cases of unsuccessful claims, considering insurance options is recommended, taking into account the potential impact on future premiums and excess costs.
Utilizing the pothole reporting tool not only streamlines the process for drivers to report road damage but also contributes to expedited repairs, safeguarding other road users from potential harm.