There has been a 13% year-on-year increase in pothole-related axle and suspension damage in January.

The cold weather has been blamed as the ‘freeze and thaw’ effect accelerates road surface weathering and the creation of more potholes.

“The problem is only going to get worse over the next week or so,” warned Duncan McClure Fisher, managing director of Warranty Direct.

“With a £1 billion shortfall in road maintenance budgets across the country, local councils will have their work cut out repairing pothole damaged roads.

"It’s a surefire bet that the number of claims we see will rise.”