Hagerty has highlighted growing concern over the condition of Britain's roads after a survey of more than 1,200 UK motorists found near-unanimous dissatisfaction with potholes and surface defects.
In the survey, 90% of drivers said their local roads are worse than they were 12 months ago, while 73% reported damage to their vehicle after hitting a pothole. More than half said they had reported potholes to their local council, but only 7% felt their local authority dealt with the issue quickly, or at all.
The findings were consistent with wider data from breakdown providers and the road-building industry. The RAC attended 6,575 pothole-related breakdowns, including damaged shock absorbers, broken springs and bent wheels, between April and June 2025 alone, with such incidents accounting for 1.2% of all its breakdowns in the quarter, the highest proportion for seven years.
The Asphalt Industry Alliance’s most recent ALARM survey estimated that almost one‑sixth of local roads in England and Wales will need resurfacing within five years, and puts the one‑off cost of clearing the maintenance backlog at around £17 billion.
More than half (54%) said they were “anxious” and 78% reported being “frustrated”, with 50% also saying they were “distracted” by poor roads. Many said they now rely on navigation apps such as Waze to warn them of hazards in advance.
Hagerty’s findings sit within a broader claims trend. Allianz UK has reported that pothole‑related motor claims have risen by more than 50% over five years, with the average claim now around £4,000, reflecting the higher cost of alloy wheels, low‑profile tyres and advanced driver‑assistance systems.
RAC analysis of garage data suggests drivers typically face an average bill of about £460 for repairs more serious than a simple puncture after hitting a pothole, before any insurance excess is taken into account. Admiral has separately reported a sharp increase in pothole claims over a recent 12‑month period, with average payouts also rising.
At the same time, councils remain selective about compensation. Freedom of information data cited by the RAC show that while local authorities have paid out millions of pounds in pothole claims in recent years, average settlements still fall well short of typical repair bills, leaving many motorists to claim on their motor policies or pay out of pocket.
For motor insurers, this adds to pressure on repair networks and parts costs, and has implications for pricing, underwriting appetite and subrogated recoveries where there is evidence of prior defect reports.
While concerns cut across all types of vehicles, classic and specialist car owners reported being particularly reluctant to drive.
The survey found that 93% of classic car owners felt “nervous” about taking their cars out on roads in their current condition. For a specialist motor insurer whose business depends on owners using and enjoying their vehicles, that sentiment is significant.
“Our survey shows that Britain’s drivers are now fed up with the condition of our roads with many expressing their frustrations in a very clear manner. Households are having to find money to fix damage to their cars, sometimes extensive and expensive," said Mark Roper, managing director of Hagerty UK.
Meanwhile, the government has announced £8.3 billion of additional highways maintenance funding for local roads in England over the period 2023–24 to 2033–34, on top of existing Highways Maintenance Block and Pothole Fund allocations. However, the Asphalt Industry Alliance has argued that current spending still falls short of what is required to prevent further deterioration, let alone clear the backlog.
A recent National Audit Office report on local roads in England also highlighted that, despite extra money, there is no long‑term plan to close the maintenance gap and that reactive, short‑term patching remains common practice.
The Hagerty survey drew comment from the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), which has been lobbying on issues including road maintenance and access for older vehicles.
Dale Keller, CEO of the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance, concluded: “Road safety matters to us all, yet Britain’s deteriorating road network suggests it is slipping down the list of safety priorities."
He added that Britain must move away from its "fix it when it fails" mindset and should prioritize preventative maintainance, which is not only safer, but more cost-effective.
