Motorists are most likely to have their car damaged by potholes in one UK city, according to fresh analysis. Data from Tesco Insurance has revealed the worst areas for road damage, with a series of major residential areas making it into the top 10.
The new statistics reveal that Peterborough is the worst area in the country, with the city having the highest number of pothole claims through the company since 2020. Peterborough City Council has already confirmed it has had more pothole reports in 2026 than in previous years.
READ MORE: UK pothole damage is ‘real safety hazard’ – ‘embarrassing’
READ MORE: UK roads in ‘state of disrepair’ – drivers claim streets are ‘worse than moon’
Motorists had reported more than 800 potholes in the city by the end of February. According to The Peterborough Telegraph, A16 Spalding Road has the highest number of pothole reports so far this year.
Oundle Road was second on the list, followed by Burghley Avenue in Wittering and the Fletton Parkway. Neighbouring Northampton was second on the list, followed by Tonbridge, Chelmsford and Plymouth in Cornwall. Glasgow, Guildford, Ipswich, Cambridge and Nottingham rounded out the top 10, with road users potentially at risk behind the wheel.
Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance warned: “It’s no secret that the UK’s roads are suffering badly, with the strain clearly showing on cars and vans from the growing number of potholes on our main roads and side streets.
“But it’s telling from our figures for January 2026 that pothole damage could reach its worst levels yet. Pothole claims in the first month of the year represented 4.1% of all single vehicle accident claims we received.”
According to Tesco Insurance, Wheel damage accounted for the greatest proportion of pothole damage claims in January 2026. The insurance experts also warned that bumpers, brakes, suspension systems and panoramic roofs had also been impacted by road damage.
Experts have urged road users to slow down on poorly maintained roads, making sure to be extra cautious after any heavy rain or flooding where potholes can be harder to see. Motorists should always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, allowing road users more time to spot potholes and other hazards.
Alex added: “With the trend likely to continue as roads deteriorate, we advise drivers to take extra care when driving to avoid any costly damage to their vehicles.”
Top 10 UK towns and cities for pothole damage claims since 2020
- Peterborough
- Northampton
- Tonbridge
- Chelmsford
- Plymouth
- Glasgow
- Guildford
- Ipswich
- Cambridge
- Nottingham