Potholes are a major problem on British roads. Kwik Fit's Pothole Impact Tracker states that the yearly cost of repairing vehicles damaged due to potholes is £1.7 billion.
What is a pothole?
Essentially, a pothole is a hole in the upper surface of a road. They can be small and negligible, or they can grow to over a foot and be several inches deep.
They are caused by repeated traffic driving on the road and by water dropping into cracks, freezing and expanding, which weakens the surface.
What is the most common damage caused by a pothole?
Tyres, alloys and wheels are highly susceptible to pothole damage. Scratched alloys are a common sight, but tyres can be punctured and the tread can also be damaged.
Larger potholes can lead to suspension becoming misaligned, which is a far more serious issue that will require a visit to the mechanic.
Vehicles with lowered bodies, low riding bumpers and exhausts can also be damaged by scraping along deeper potholes.
Can potholes damage electric vehicles?
Due to the weight, EV batteries are often placed on the bottom or underside of the car. This can make it more prone to damage incurred by potholes or obstructions on the road.
However, EV batteries are secured in protection boxes so they will not be damaged often. If you are concerned, contact your mechanic immediately.
Tesla have introduced a new feature for customers in which drivers can turn on a pothole avoidance feature. Vehicles will download road map data, including the locations of pothole-prone roads,