British drivers can now benefit from a free Pothole Damage Check service at Halfords, as 11 million potholes around the UK blight car journeys.
The new initiative is available at more than 600 locations and aims to help motorists deal with damage from potholes without incurring the cost of a garage appointment.
Recent research found a staggering impact of potholes on drivers, with 27 per cent reporting vehicle damage in the past year alone.
This widespread issue has led to substantial damage to vehicles, with more than a quarter of UK drivers reporting pothole-related damage in the past year alone.
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There are around 11 million potholes on UK roads
According to Halfords' research, the average cost of pothole damage per vehicle stands at £718, which amounts to a staggering £7.5billion when extrapolated across the country.
These figures underscore the urgent need for improved road maintenance and highlight the potential value of Halfords' new free Pothole Damage Check service for motorists seeking to assess and document vehicle damage.
Halfords' Managing Director of Garages, Karen Bellairs, is calling on the Labour Government to increase its commitment to road repairs, stating that the current pledge to fill one million potholes annually is insufficient to address the widespread issue.
The Labour manifesto stated that pothole issues were a "visible sign of the decline after 14 years of Conservative rule" and vowed to fix an additional one million potholes across England every year.
It said this would be done via the funding from deferring the A27 bypass, which it described as "poor value for money".
Bellairs added: "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."
The Pothole Damage Check service offers a comprehensive safety inspection by a qualified Halfords expert. This includes examining tyres, wheels, suspension, and wheel alignment for potential damage.
Customers receive a detailed report outlining any identified issues which can be crucial when submitting compensation claims to local councils, with the service coinciding with the UK's Tyre Safety Month.
Currently, only 18 per cent of pothole damage claims to councils are successful in receiving any payout. Halfords hopes that providing motorists with a professional damage report may improve their chances of successful claims.
Even tyres in perfect condition can suffer critical damage from a single pothole encounter, with Halfords highlighting the importance of regular checks.
Bellairs concluded: "As the UK’s leading motoring retailer, we are doing our part. We are now calling on the Government to do theirs.
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Halfords will provide motorists with a comprehensive report on the state of their vehicle
PA
"They have pledged to fill one million potholes a year - but with 11 million potholes on our roads, and more appearing every day, this is simply going to plaster over the cracks."
