Guidance for what motorists should do if they hit a large pothole on UK roads has been released by specialists.

Driving experts from car leasing giants LeaseCar.uk have urged vehicle owners to prioritise safety, highlighted the contact details for reporting potholes and revealed how to recoup repair bills.

Driving over a major crack in the road surface could jolt a vehicle’s suspension and wheels, puncture tyres, or even cause a crash.

To minimise the potential damage from hitting a pothole, drivers should try to reduce their speed gradually before impact when it’s unsafe to steer clear.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “Potholes can be infuriating, dangerous and leave unfortunate drivers facing significant repair bills.

“It’s often impossible to avoid them without dangerously swerving, so our best advice is to try to reduce your speed before hitting one.

“Check your tyres, suspension and bodywork for damage as soon as you can find a safe place to pull over.

“You should also remember to report the pothole to the relevant authority and gather evidence to help reclaim costs if you think repairs are required.”

Here is the LeaseCar.uk advice:

  1. Stop as soon as possible in a safe location

If you hit a pothole hard but your car can keep moving, find a safe place to pull over before assessing the impact – don’t stop in a live motorway lane or on the hard shoulder, if you can make it to the next junction.

Try to get off main roads in urban areas, into a residential or commercial parking space if possible, and avoid narrow stretches of road, blind bends and hills in the countryside.

Drivers who suspect damage to their vehicle after hitting a pothole should then carefully inspect their tyres, all around the wheels, the suspension, bodywork, under the bonnet, and generally across their vehicle for any dislodged parts.

  • Report the pothole so it can be fixed

For problems on motorways or major ‘A’ roads, contact:

On all other public roads in England (except Transport for London’s red routes), Scotland and Wales, the local council are responsible for maintenance.

The same authority should be sent any claim for reimbursement of repair bills – most have a process that can be as simple as filling out a form online.

  • Gather plenty of evidence

Photographs add detail to support claims for damages – close ups of the damage to your vehicle and road, and shots from further away to pinpoint the pothole’s location.

Take measurements of a pothole’s depth, length and width, and it’s position in the road, too – use a precise ruler or tape measure, or consistently sized objects to hand like coins or food and drink packaging.

If it’s more than 40mm (two x 20p’s) deep or 300mm wide, your chances of a pay-out are higher.

Other things to make a note of at the scene include time and date, your speed, traffic and weather conditions, witness details and a brief description or diagram.

Remember to put your safety first though – don’t take risks like stepping out into traffic or trespassing on a motorway to gather evidence.

  • Keep receipts but be prepared for rejection

It’s vital to get two copies of an itemised repair bill for parts and labour, including time, date and a note from the mechanic if possible to confirm a pothole as the cause of the damage.

Car owners shoud still shop around – you’re more likely to get repairs reimbursed by the relevant authority if you haven’t payed over the odds.

Recent research by LeaseCar.uk revealed that councils compensated motorists to the tune of over £3,500,500 for poorly maintained roads in England alone during 2018-19: https://leasecar.uk/blog/which-location-is-the-pothole-capital-of-the-uk/.

But the relevant authorities don’t accept every claim and won’t pay for repair bills if there’s nothing they think they could’ve done about it – this includes very recent and unreported potholes.

Drivers who then wish to pursue the matter need to prove the relevant authority didn’t have an adequate inspection and repair process in place or take reasonable care of the road.

A freedom of information request may be necessary, but be careful of incurring legal fees if you go to small claims court.