Hit a Pothole? Here’s What You Should Check For

Potholes are something most UK drivers have had to deal with at some point, and with the current changes in weather, they are becoming an even bigger problem. RAC recently issued a warning highlighting that the summer heat may have made road surfaces even more vulnerable and upcoming wetter weather may cause further damage. So, what do you do if you hit a pothole? This article gives you some tips on what to look out for and what to do next.

9/23/20262 min read

If you ever hit a pothole, here is what you need to do.

1. Check your tyres for visible damage

Firstly, carefully check the tyre that took the impact. Look for:

cuts or splits
bulges in the sidewall
cracking
sudden loss of tyre pressure
unusual damage to the tread

These are some of the issues that can occur after hitting a pothole. In more serious cases, the impact can even cause a tyre blowout.

2. Check whether the tyre is losing pressure

Damages are not always immediately visible. If your tyre pressure warning appears after hitting a pothole, or the tyre seems to be losing air, this could indicate a puncture or internal damage.

If this happens, avoid driving further than necessary.

3. Take a look at the wheel

Potholes can also damage the wheel itself. Possible signs include a bent or buckled wheel, cracks in an alloy or visible distortion around the rim.

If anything looks unusual, have the wheel inspected.

4. Pay attention to how the car feels

Sometimes the first sign of damage is not visible but you can feel something is off. So, also check if:

you feel vibrations through the steering wheel.
the car is pulling to one side.
steering feels different.
there are unusual noises.
the vehicle generally feels different or less stable when driving and making turns.

These can indicate problems with the wheel alignment, balancing or suspension components.

5. Don’t ignore a tyre that suddenly feels different

If the tyre looks damaged or the vehicle no longer feels safe to drive, do not ignore it.

This is particularly important if you notice a sidewall bulge, significant cut or obvious wheel damage.

If unsure, you should stop somewhere safe and have the tyre checked.

6. What should you do if the tyre is damaged?

A damaged tyre does not always mean it needs to be replaced, but it should be checked properly before you continue on your way. If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, you should arrange for the tyre to be inspected at your location.

TyreTech1 can provide mobile tyre fitting and roadside assistance if you need help at your location.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 07863 995929

7. Can you claim for pothole damage?

In some situations, you might be able to make a claim against the organisation responsible for maintaining the road.

In England, this may be your local council, National Highways, or Transport for London if the damage occurred on a London red route. GOV.UK recommends recording the location, date and time of the incident and details of the damage.

Drivers can also report potholes through GOV.UK, which directs reports to the appropriate authority.

Need Mobile Tyre Assistance?

From emergency tyre assistance and puncture repairs to replacement tyres fitted at your home, workplace or roadside location, TyreTech1 is here to help.

Call 078 6399 5929

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