The latest data reveals the regions with the highest payouts for damages caused by road potholes. According to information acquired by Confused.com via Freedom of Information requests, UK councils faced 144,230 compensation claims for pothole-related harm between 2022 and 2025.
During this timeframe, local authorities disbursed more than £11 million in total, including £1.1 million in 2025 alone. Over the past four years, a staggering 3.4 million potholes were reported across the UK, with 600,000 incidents occurring in 2025, accounting for 18% of the total.
Despite the high number of reported potholes, the percentage of successful compensation claims has significantly decreased. In 2025, only 19% of claims were approved, marking a decline from the previous year’s 29% approval rate.
Devon recorded the highest number of reported potholes between 2022 and 2025, reaching 210,754 cases, yet only 15% of damage claims were accepted. West Yorkshire reported 191,001 potholes, with a success rate of 11% for claims. Northumberland had 151,485 potholes reported, approving 51% of claims, while Greater London witnessed 145,618 potholes reported, with a 36% claim success rate.
Dumfries and Galloway reported 134,054 potholes, with a 44% approval rate for claims. Greater London led in total claims payouts, compensating drivers with £1,294,566 over the four-year period, followed by East Sussex, Glasgow, Highland Council, and Oxfordshire.
In 2025, UK councils repaired 990,840 potholes, with Greater London, West Yorkshire, and Devon taking the lead in pothole repairs. With more than half of drivers feeling that road conditions have worsened in recent years, the need for road maintenance is evident. Over 22% of drivers encounter potholes daily, while 41% face them multiple times a week.
Navigating the council claims process for pothole damages proves challenging for many drivers. Approximately 18% find the process complex, and 36% believe it should be more transparent. Successful claimants received an average of £242, slightly exceeding the usual repair costs.
To aid drivers in reporting road damages efficiently, Confused.com introduced a pothole reporting tool. By accessing local council pothole data through this tool, drivers can report issues promptly, facilitating quicker repairs and ensuring the safety of all road users.
