The regions that have issued the highest amounts of compensation for pothole damage have been disclosed. Recent data acquired by Confused.com via Freedom of Information requests indicates that UK councils received 144,230 claims for pothole-related damages between 2022 and 2025.
Throughout this timeframe, local authorities disbursed over £11 million in total, with £1.1 million paid out in 2025 alone. A staggering 3.4 million potholes were reported across the UK in the last four years, with 18% of them reported in 2025 alone.
However, the number of successful compensation claims has significantly decreased. In 2025, the data reveals that councils only approved 19% of claims, a notable decline from the 29% approval rate in the previous year.
Devon topped the list with 210,754 reported potholes between 2022 and 2025, yet only 15% of damage claims were sanctioned. West Yorkshire reported 191,001 potholes, but only 11% of claims were successful. Northumberland recorded 151,485 potholes and approved 51% of claims, while Greater London saw 145,618 potholes reported, with a 36% success rate for claims.
Dumfries and Galloway reported 134,054 potholes, with 44% of claims being approved. Greater London had the highest total compensation payouts, with £1,294,566 disbursed to drivers over the four-year span, followed by East Sussex with £642,338 awarded to motorists.
In 2025, UK councils repaired 990,840 potholes, with Greater London, West Yorkshire, and Devon ranking as the top areas for pothole repairs. West Yorkshire fixed 285,545 potholes, Greater London repaired 245,415, and Devon completed 221,818 fixes.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 motorists, over half (53%) believe road conditions have deteriorated compared to past years, with more than one in five (22%) encountering potholes daily. 41% encounter potholes several times a week. Despite the challenges, recovering costs from pothole damages is deemed difficult by nearly one in five (18%), who find the council claims process complex.
Confused.com has introduced a pothole reporting tool that displays data from local councils, including reports, repairs, and compensation claims, guiding users to report issues or make claims promptly.
Matt Crole-Rees, a motoring expert at Confused.com, advises individuals whose cars are damaged by potholes to gather evidence and explore council claim options. He suggests considering insurance alternatives while being mindful of potential impacts on future premiums and excess costs.
Crole-Rees highlights the importance of reporting potholes promptly, not only for faster repairs but also to safeguard other road users from potential damage.