Potholes are a persistent problem on British roads. Between 2021 and 2025, more than 1.2 million potholes were reported across the UK, with some councils recording thousands of defects per 100km of road.
Pothole-related callouts for issues such as damaged car tyres, wheels, and suspension have increased by 18% across the UK, highlighting the growing pressure on drivers and local authorities alike1.
Some areas of the country have more potholes than others, due to factors such as weather, traffic volume, and highway maintenance. But where in the country are you most likely to see a pothole, and where are councils responding most effectively?
Key takeaways
- Aberdeen records the highest pothole rate in the UK, with 10,396 reports per 100km between 2021 and 2025 – nearly 4,000 more than the next highest area.
- 87% of drivers say potholes are a problem in their area, with 19% saying they are rarely or never fixed.
- Stoke-on-Trent has spent £71 million on road maintenance since 2021, averaging almost £8 million per 100km.
- Redbridge repairs more potholes than any other council, fixing 11,808 per 100km.
- One in five drivers surveyed reports paying more than £200 for repairs caused by a pothole.
- Cardiff, Nottingham, and Edinburgh all rank among the UK’s pothole hotspots, each recording more than 6,400 potholes per 100km.
- In some parts of the UK, drivers are nearly 50 times more likely to encounter a reported pothole than in others.