Can I claim for tyre damage caused by a pothole?

Yes. If a pothole on a public road damaged your tyre or wheel, you can claim against the authority responsible for that road — usually the local council, or National Highways for motorways and major A-roads. Claims succeed when the authority knew (or should have known) about the defect and failed to repair it.

Who do I claim against for pothole damage?

For local roads, the local council or highway authority. For motorways and most major A-roads in England, National Highways. In Scotland and Wales, the equivalent trunk road agencies. Check the road type before submitting.

What evidence do I need for a pothole claim?

Photos of the pothole (with something for scale), photos of the tyre and wheel damage, the exact location, the date and time, plus receipts or invoices for the replacement tyre and any repairs.

Is a pothole-damaged tyre safe to drive on?

Often not. Pothole impacts cause sidewall bulges, internal cord damage and cracked alloys that can fail suddenly at speed. A sidewall bulge means the tyre must be replaced, not repaired.

Pothole Damaged Your Tyre? How to Claim Compensation (Step by Step)

That bang through the steering wheel, then the pressure light — pothole damage costs UK drivers millions every year. The good news: if the road authority failed to maintain the road, you can claim the cost of your new tyre (and wheel) back. Here is how to do it properly.

First: is the tyre safe to drive on?

Pothole impacts cause three kinds of damage:

Immediate deflation — the impact has pinched or split the tyre. Do not drive on it; see our guide on why driving on a flat wrecks the wheel.
Sidewall bulge (“egg”) — the internal cords are broken and the tyre can burst without warning. Bulged tyres cannot be repaired — only replaced.
Cracked or bent alloy — may leak air slowly or suddenly. Get it inspected.

Gather your evidence at the scene

Claims are won or lost on evidence collected in the first hour:

Photos of the pothole — include a shoe, drink bottle or tape measure for scale (depth over ~40mm strengthens a claim).
Photos showing the pothole’s position in the road.
Photos of the tyre and wheel damage.
Exact location (drop a map pin), date and time.
Dashcam footage if you have it.

Get back on the road (keep the invoice)

You will need an itemised invoice for the replacement tyre — it is the core of your claim. You do not need to limp to a garage on a damaged tyre to get one:

Enter your registration on RescueFitter.co.uk — our DVLA-linked system identifies your exact tyre size.
A mobile fitter comes to you, fits and balances the new tyre at the roadside or your driveway, 24/7.
You receive an itemised invoice ready to attach to your claim.

Who to claim against

Local roads: the local council / highway authority.
Motorways & major A-roads (England): National Highways.
Scotland / Wales: the relevant trunk road agency (e.g. Transport Scotland, Traffic Wales) or council.

Submitting the claim — and beating the Section 58 defence

Submit the authority’s claim form with your photos, location and invoices, citing their duty to maintain the highway under the Highways Act 1980. Many claims are initially rejected under a Section 58 defence (“we had a reasonable inspection regime”). Don’t give up: request the road’s inspection and complaint records. If the pothole had already been reported or the road was overdue an inspection, the defence collapses — and many drivers win at this stage.