A Cheltenham garage has seen a huge rise in pothole-related repairs
This follows research showing motorists are nearly twice as likely to suffer a pothole-related breakdown than they were in 2006.
Analysis from driving services company, the RAC, found pothole-related breakdown numbers have increased by 10% in the last 12 months from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.
They said in this period they attended 27,205 breakdowns, caused by potholes.
But the RAC believes drivers may have actually ‘dodged the pothole bullet’ in what is normally the worst three months of the year for them. Milder weather led to patrol call-out rates dropping by 22% from 10,076 last year to 7,094 in 2024.
Clare Cleevely, from Cleevely Motors, said: "We've seen a higher amount of damage to tyres and wheels. Quite often we see bulges on the tyres or worn and damaged tyres.
She explained the cost this can have to motorists, Clare said: "You can end up paying from £50 for a replacement tyre right the way to £300-400, if there's damage to suspension and shock absorbers.
"We're finding a lot of frustration from customers."