Potholes are a nuisance to drivers all over the world. According to new research by the UK’s biggest automotive marketplace Auto Trader, they can cost drivers hundreds in repairs, and even potentially decrease your car’s resale value.
Pothole problems are most prevalent in the early springtime when temperatures repeatedly fluctuate above and below zero degrees, exacerbating the freezing and thawing cycles that cause and worsen them.
With a cold snap currently hitting the UK, the weather conditions the country is experiencing are making the potholes on our roads worse than ever, meaning drivers must pay extra attention to where potholes might be lurking to avoid damaging their vehicle or getting into an accident. With online searches for ‘car damage pothole’ up by 306% in the UK in the last three months and ‘pothole damage claim’ garnering 1,000 searches a month (up by 440% compared to this time last year), it’s clear that the UK’s pothole problem is causing more stress than ever to motorists on Britain’s roads.
A spokesperson from Auto Trader said: “With plenty of potholes on the roads at the moment all drivers should be extra vigilant in checking for unseen damage if they drive over one, as impact can look minor but become more serious as time goes on.
“This damage can be minimised with sensible driving, regular vehicle maintenance and immediate professional help should drivers encounter one. Ensuring that later down the line both buyers and sellers won’t run into any unforeseen problems due to pothole damage that needs to be repaired. If we all look after our cars, both parties get the best deals possible on the used car market!”
Auto Trader spoke to Louise Baker from Womanic and Hannah Gordon, a freelance mechanic, to provide expert advice to motorists who will encounter increasing numbers of potholes on the roads in the coming months.
Expert advice on limiting pothole damage
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Give your car a thorough once-over, as soon as you drive over a pothole
Damage from potholes can range from minor scrapes or dents to significant wheel misalignments or flat tyres. If you think you’ve driven over a pothole, it’s best to assess your car in as much detail as you can as soon as possible. Hannah Gordon reminds all car-owners that “potholes can cause damage that isn’t seen straight away, making the car dangerous to drive.”
Meanwhile, Louise Baker suggests starting with the following: “Check the tyres for any visible damage - are any ply-cords exposed and are there any bulges anywhere? Look for any damage on the wheel itself too - are there any flat spots or chunks? Does the car steer straight still? These are the first things that might be affected.”
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Take your car to a mechanic, even if you can’t see any major damage
Both experts reiterate the importance of having a trained professional look at your car for hidden damages you can’t see yourself. Hannah highlights the potential issues: “Unseen damages can include cracks in the alloy wheel or even cuts and bulges on the inside of the tyre - and these may only be visible with a check underneath the vehicle by a mechanic.” Louise explains that potholes can do more than just cause aesthetic damage: “Things like bent track rod ends and alignment issues are common, both of which can lead to extreme tyre wear and, in worst case scenarios, can lead to you potentially losing control of your car.”
“If a driver has hit a pothole and can’t see any obvious damage, I’d still want them to have the wheel alignment checked, even if the car is driving correctly. An alignment check costs roughly £25 and can provide reassurance after an encounter with a pothole.”
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Broken coil springs are the most common side effect of potholes - and can cost drivers up to £300 alone!
Between them, Hannah and Louise have over 30 years of automotive experience, and both agree that broken coil springs are the most frequent damage they encounter because of customers driving over potholes. Hannah explains: “The sudden impact to the vehicle can cause flat spots or even cracks in a wheel. The coil spring takes the full brunt of the force and can easily break, causing the suspension to become uneven. Modern alloy wheels can range from £200 to over £1000 to replace, with a new tyre and possibly suspension repairs too. I have seen cars come into the workshop with pothole damage and the bill is over £2000.”
Louise adds: “Usually my customer will come in complaining of a rattling or clonking noise. If this isn’t fixed, I’ve occasionally even seen the broken spring stick into the side of a tyre and cause a blowout, which is extremely dangerous. It can cost just £50 to replace a damaged tyre with a budget one, but the bill can skyrocket quickly, depending on damage to the car. I had a customer the other day with a cracked alloy wheel, fractured spring and top mount - and her total bill was £300!”
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Pothole damage can impact the resale value of your vehicle
The best-case scenario in terms of damages would be simple scratches or dents, as these won’t impact the safety of your vehicle as you continue to use it. However, minor aesthetic damages like this are still likely to put potential buyers off, with repairs costing a fortune. Louise points out that “with metallic paint especially, a panel would need to be painted, and if done properly, blended into adjoining panels. You’re usually looking at £250-£300 a panel."
Hannah adds: “If damage caused by potholes is not repaired properly, it can really hit the resale value. Damage to alloy wheels in particular is always a subject of negotiation when selling a car.”
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Ensure your car is well maintained, to avoid pothole damages
One way to minimise pothole damage is to ensure your tyres are correctly inflated before you set out for a drive. Louise adds: “Keep to the speed limit and pay extra attention to roads you don’t often drive on. Check your lights are all working fine and that your wipers are effectively cleaning your screen. Do you have screen wash? Ensuring you have clear visibility of a road is imperative in minimising the risk that potholes pose.”
