It’s when you hit a pothole that you realise that they can look harmless but they’re not. It takes no minute longer for a sharp impact to damage the tyre, bend the wheel, affect the steering or put a strain on the suspension. In most cases, it often feels as if the car is fine at first but then later becomes difficult or unsafe to drive a few minutes later.
For UK motorists in 2026, a serious issue regarding pothole damage remains. According to RAC data, 6,290 members mentioned potholes when logging breakdowns in February 2026, compared with 1,842 in February 2025. The AA also warned that potholes can cause punctures, damaged wheels, and steering or suspension faults.
The most common problems include tyre damage from potholes, cracked alloys, bent wheels, wheel alignment issues and suspension faults. If there is a hard impact it can also affect steering, especially if the vehicle starts pulling to one side.
Sometimes the damage is obvious straight away such as a flat tyre or visible bulge. However, it’s important to pay attention to how the car feels after the impact, as sometimes some problems are harder to spot.
Before deciding to check the vehicle, pull over somewhere safe. Do not suddenly stop in a dangerous place or stand close to moving traffic.
Once you’re safe, check the tyres for cuts, bulges or loss of pressure. Look at the wheel for cracks or dents. When you start to drive again, listen for knocking noises and notice whether the steering wheel shakes or the car pulls to one side.
Don’t guess if anything feels unusual. A car damaged by pothole impact may need proper inspection before it is safe to continue.
You should stop driving immediately if you notice that the tyre is flat, the wheel looks damaged, the steering feels heavy, the car pulls strongly to one side or you hear loud knocking from underneath.
These can be signs of wheel damage from a pothole impact or suspension damage caused by hitting a pothole. Driving any further may make the damage worse and could put you, your passengers and other road users at risk.
If you are in Leicester, Leicestershire, Loughborough, Coalville, Hinckley, Nuneaton or nearby areas, professional car recovery Leicester support may be safer than trying to reach a garage yourself.
If you are unable to drive your vehicle safely, then switch on your hazard lights and move away from traffic. On busy roads, keep passengers in a safe place and call for breakdown recovery Leicester or roadside assistance Leicester.
GOV.UK advises that if you want to claim for vehicle damage caused by a road, you should record the exact location, date, time and details of the damage. Do not return to a dangerous road location to take photos.
Pothole damage can be frustrating especially when you were only making a normal journey. The important thing is to make sure not to turn a repairable fault into a bigger problem by continuing to drive.
If you hit a pothole and notice serious tyre, wheel, steering or suspension damage, contact Midlands Recovery & Rescue for professional vehicle recovery Leicester, emergency car recovery or roadside recovery across Leicester and the wider Midlands.
Yes. Hitting a pothole can damage tyres, wheels, steering, suspension and wheel alignment. Even if the damage is not obvious, the car may feel different when driven.
Only drive if the vehicle feels normal and there is no visible tyre, wheel or steering damage. If the car pulls, shakes, knocks or has a flat tyre, stop and call for recovery.
Common signs include knocking noises, uneven steering, the car pulling to one side, bouncing more than usual or feeling unstable over bumps.
Call vehicle recovery Leicester if the tyre is flat, the wheel is bent, the steering feels unsafe or you are unsure whether the vehicle can be driven safely.