Pothole-related breakdowns hit an unseasonable high in the second quarter of 2025 with RAC patrols attending 9% more than they did in April to June last year, according to new data from the RAC’s Pothole Index.
In total, the RAC dealt with 6,575 call-outs for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels – the breakdowns most likely to be caused by poor road surfaces, compared to 6,050 in the same period in 2024. Excluding the first three months of the year which are always the worst for pothole-related breakdowns, this is the highest number of quarterly pothole call-outs since the second quarter of 2023.
The findings also show it continues to be a bumpy ride for the nation’s drivers with a worsening picture when looking over a longer period to smooth out the effects of weather. RAC patrols went out to 24,763 pothole breakdowns in the 12 months up to 30 June 2025 – the equivalent of 68 a day – and over 500 more than they attended in the 12 months up to the end of March this year.
Of the three main types of breakdown associated with pothole wear and tear, broken suspension springs top the list – no doubt because they are designed to absorb the impact of irregularities in the road. Between April and June 2025, RAC patrols went to 4,779 breakdowns due to broken suspension springs, up by 23% (892) on the 3,887 reported in 2024. The RAC has also seen a major uptick in the number of motorists opting to have their broken springs repaired on their drives by the RAC’s mobile servicing and repairs team instead of at a garage.
The RAC believes the number of pothole breakdowns seen between April and June are ‘unseasonably high’ because the weather in the first three months of 2025 was significantly colder than the same period last year. Winter conditions create more potholes due to water seeping into existing cracks in older roads that haven’t been sealed with surface dressing treatment, then freezing and expanding.
Looking at the proportion of pothole-related call-outs against all RAC breakdowns, the percentage in the second quarter of 2025 is the highest in seven years at 1.2% – a jump from 1% in the second quarter of 2024.
Separate RAC data found drivers are still directly paying the price of poor road surfaces. Looking at the types of unexpected motoring repair costs, a fifth (21%) said they had to fork out for new suspension parts such as shock absorbers and springs which are most commonly damaged by potholes. This figure rises to 30% for those driving cars between three and 10 years old.
The RAC’s nationwide team of mobile servicing and repairs technicians can replace broken suspension springs at drivers’ homes or places of work, removing the hassle of getting to and from a garage. To book repairs with an RAC Mobile Mechanic, call 0333 070 2784 or use the myRAC app.
