Simple reason why you need to get your car checked this October – for free

Potholes seem to be a common sight on UK roads, causing uncomfortable journeys and potential vehicle damage.

New research shockingly reveals that 27% of UK drivers have suffered vehicle damage due to a pothole in the past year, leading to an average repair cost of £718 per vehicle.

This amounts to a staggering total of £7.5bn per year across the UK.

Many motorists believe that if their vehicle is damaged by a pothole on a council-maintained road, they are entitled to compensation. However, due to a lack of concrete evidence, only 18% of compensation claims are successful, leaving drivers out of pocket.

Even a small pothole can cause significant damage to wheels, tyres and suspension, resulting in costly garage visits.

During this time of year, potholes can become increasingly severe as existing dents and holes worsen when roads freeze and contract.

As part of the ongoing Tyre Safety Month in the UK, motor experts at Halfords have introduced a free ‘Pothole Damage Check’ for all UK motorists.

This initiative aims to help drivers determine if their vehicle has been damaged after driving through one of the estimated 11 million potholes currently littering UK roads. The Pothole Damage Check includes a comprehensive safety inspection by a qualified Halfords expert, covering potential damage to tyres, wheels, suspension and wheel alignment, reports The Liverpool Echo.

In a bid to support drivers plagued by the UK’s crumbling roads, Halfords is rolling out a free service enabling customers to get a comprehensive report on any vehicular damage caused by potholes. This report can be used when claiming compensation from local authorities.

As part of this initiative, Karen Bellairs, Halfords’ chief of garages, has urged the Labour Government to bolster its vow to repair a million potholes annually, warning that this target falls short and only serves as a makeshift fix.

Karen said: “The UK’s roads are in a shocking state and drivers are hitting potholes more and more frequently. But we know that most hard-pressed motorists are not in a position to book their car into a garage every time they drive through one.

She further explained: “Our new service will allow them to check, for free, if any damage has been caused – in most instances hopefully giving them peace of mind, without it hitting them in the wallet. If there is any damage, the accompanying report of any work completed may be able to assist them in gaining compensation.”