POORLY-maintained roads are being blamed for a 47% increase in car suspension failure during the past five years.

Warranty firm Warranty Direct claims its analysis shows that the number of cars needing suspension and axle repairs as a result of poorly-maintained roads and potholes has increased from 9% to about 17% during the first eight months of the year.

It found that regionally, Scottish drivers are the most at risk, with 35% of all claims blamed on a road defect.

England’s worst region was found to be the Anglia region, with almost one in five breakdowns said to be the cause of suspension or axle damage.

UK’s worst roads

Region and % of claims caused by roads
Scotland 35.07
Anglia 19.11
North East 18.77
West Midlands 15.56
North West 15.25
Wales 14.42
Greater London 13.99
East Midlands 13.76
South East 12.40
South West 11.04
British average 16.93