I'm fuming over promise Keir Starmer hasn't kept - it nearly destroyed my car

The UK is lucky to have some of the best countryside in Europe with winding roads and picturesque green hills breaking up quaint villages. It's therefore such a shame that leaving the city and enjoying Britain's nature should be a jaw-breaking and almost car-breaking experience due to one simple issue: Potholes.

Almost every car owner in the UK will have experienced thud after thud as they try to enjoy a drive in the country. Some cars are less affected than others, of course. Have an SUV, and you'll likely be okay. But if you drive a vehicle much lower to the ground, the constant battle is a certainty. In my experience, potholes are less of an issue in major cities and built-up housing estates; it's the countryside that's being forgotten.

The AA has even confirmed that country roads are generally less well-maintained than city roads, with potholes and uneven surfaces common. Driving home last week, I sat almost helpless as I heard my plucky Mazda take on a battered road surface.

In the end, I gave in and focused all of my efforts on dodging the holes like a maze until I returned to more civilised roads. As well as turning an enjoyable road trip into a death-defying rollercoaster, potholes could risk more than just an uncomfortable ride.

Mechanics have reported serious damage to shock absorbers and smashed suspension springs as a result of drivers striking potholes. And the issue is seemingly getting worse despite Labour and Sir Keir Starmer promising to crack down on potholes in their manifesto.

According to data from the RAC's Pothole Index, UK drivers are 1.7 times more likely to break down as a result of a pothole today than back in 2006. Meanwhile, pothole-related breakdowns were said to be "unseasonably high" in the second quarter of 2025.

Data from RAC patrols show that staff attended 9% more pothole-related breakdowns than between April to June last year. Last summer, Labour promised to fix a million potholes every year in England with promises to pump billions into road repairs.

Earlier this year, officials confirmed that local authorities in England would start to receive part of the Government's £1.6 billion highway maintenance funding. Labour even confirmed councils had to prove their progress or face the risk of losing their funding.

However, despite their effort, the Government simply won't have the money to fix the problem and save vehicles. Figures from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) claim the cost of fixing the damage could be around £17billion.

It means that no matter how much Labour could throw at the issue, Britain's roads appear just too damaged to be fixed.

In a statement, The DfT told Express.co.uk: "With the average driver forking out nearly £500 to repair serious pothole damage, we know fixing cratered roads is not just about pride in our communities, but the pound in people's pockets.

"That is why we are ending the pothole plague on Britain's roads by investing £24 billion to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country over the next five years.

"This is in addition to the record investment of almost £1.6 billion for local road maintenance we have made this year, a £500m increase compared to last year.