LKQ Euro Car Parts has urged garages to prepare for continued demand for suspension repairs, as Google Trends data reveals UK search interest in pothole-related vehicle damage has reached its highest level on record.
Searches for terms including “pothole damage”, “pothole claim”, “claim for pothole damage” and “pothole damage to car” have reportedly climbed sharply in recent months after a winter of cold and wet weather, with the latest spike appearing to be the biggest seen since Google Trends records began.
The trend mirrors wider industry data, with the RAC reporting a 15% year-on-year increase in pothole-related breakdowns in 2025, equating to more than 26,000 incidents involving damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.
February 2026 saw pothole-related breakdowns more than triple compared to the same period last year, following one of the wettest starts to the year in recent memory.
The data also points to increased interest in related repair terms such as “coil spring” and “suspension repair”, indicating motorists are not only worried about pothole damage, but actively seeking solutions for the parts most likely to be affected.
And as families hit the road for bank holiday staycations, LKQ has urged garages to prepare now for another wave of pothole-related repairs.
Many vehicles travelling longer distances while carrying heavier loads of luggage and passengers, putting added strain on already weakened springs, shock absorbers and other suspension components.
For garages across the 1TEC Auto Hub Network, the national garage network backed by LKQ Euro Car Parts, this demand is already translating into a steady flow of work.
Dale Teal, Co-owner at Sherburn Rubber & MOT Centre, said: “A lot of pothole-related work comes into the workshop as drivability complaints to begin with – things like knocks, poor handling or the car not feeling quite right – and once you get it on the ramp, you find wear or damage in the suspension and steering.
“It’s been one of the busiest years we can remember for pothole related work. It tends to build steadily, especially after a bad winter, and busy travel periods can bring more of it through the door. For an independent garage, that means making sure you’re ready to deal with it properly and not miss the opportunity.
“Being part of 1TEC Auto Hub really helps because you’re not dealing with that in isolation. The training, support and shared experience across the network all help you stay prepared and keep standards high as demand comes in.”
Matt Robinson, B2B Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, added: “UK roads will be busy in the coming months, with more drivers heading away for long weekends and staycations faster than local authorities can get roads repaired. When vehicles are carrying extra passengers and luggage, it can put more strain on parts that are already worn – especially if they’ve taken a hit from potholes over recent months.
“For garages, this presents a key opportunity to capture additional suspension, steering and wheel-end work. The workshops that are prepared, with the right parts available and jobs turned around quickly, will be best placed to meet this demand and keep customers on the road.”
