UK road safety charity TyreSafe, a member of the Pothole Partnership, says the figures underline the growing economic and safety burden of deteriorating road surfaces and reinforce the urgent need for a long-term, permanent repair strategy.
The analysis is based on the latest AA Pothole Index, which shows the AA attended 613,638 pothole-related breakdowns in 2025 — an average of 1,681 every day — involving damage to tyres, wheels, steering and suspension.
Using the AA’s established methodology and an updated average repair cost of £350 per incident, the direct cost of pothole-related repairs attended by the AA in 2025 is estimated at £215 million. When scaled to represent all UK drivers, this equates to approximately £645 million in vehicle repair costs, an increase of £66 million compared to 2024.
TyreSafe warns that these headline figures only capture part of the problem. Many pothole impacts do not result in immediate breakdowns but instead cause hidden tyre or wheel damage that later leads to premature tyre failure, MOT failures, increased running costs and avoidable safety risks.
Winter weather continues to exacerbate the issue. Heavy rainfall and freezing conditions mean potholes are often concealed beneath standing water, increasing the likelihood of impacts and making defects harder to avoid. Even low-speed strikes can compromise a tyre’s internal structure, leaving road users unaware of the danger until a failure occurs.
Commenting on the need for longer-term thinking, Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander MP said, “I’m making sure councils can move away from short-term repairs to long-term maintenance, saving drivers money but also making sure taxpayer money is being spent effectively.”Potholes are no longer just a frustration — they are a growing financial and road safety problem, said Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe.
“Rising repair costs show the real-world impact of roads that are allowed to deteriorate. Tyres often absorb the brunt of pothole damage, and unseen defects can quickly turn into dangerous failures. Regular tyre checks after an impact are essential, but road users also need confidence that repairs will last. Long-term maintenance is critical if we are serious about reducing costs, preventing incidents and protecting lives.”
TyreSafe urges road users to remain vigilant this winter, prioritise tyre maintenance and support calls for a repair strategy that delivers safer, more resilient roads.
