74% of claims fail because councils plead ignorance. We search for prior reports that prove they knew — and build your legal case in 5 minutes.
Free AI analysis · From £5 per claim · Takes 5 minutes
You'll also need photos of the damage and the pothole location
Based on RAC data (2024). Individual outcomes vary.
Councils use the Section 58 defence: they claim they didn't know about the pothole and had a reasonable inspection regime in place.
We search FixMyStreet for prior reports. If the pothole was reported 14+ days before your incident, the council had notice but failed to act.
Most UK councils accept reports through FixMyStreet, the country's main pothole reporting platform. But a handful actively block it — reducing transparency and making it harder for you to prove they knew about road defects.
These councils refuse reports from the UK's largest pothole reporting platform
These councils add friction to discourage FixMyStreet reports
Blocking FixMyStreet makes it harder to prove the council had notice of a defect — but it doesn't stop your claim. It means the council must prove their own inspection system was adequate.
See all councils ranked by pothole reportsYour registration, photos of the damage, and where it happened.
We check for prior reports, analyse your photos, and assess your claim strength.
Get a professional legal letter citing the Highways Act, ready to send to your council.
Free AI photo analysis. Pay only when you're ready for your legal letter.
£3.33 per claim