Pothole damage to cars has cost drivers around £700 million in repair bills over the past three years.
A fifth of drivers have reported potholes to their local council but a third say nothing has been done, a survey from motor insurer esure.com found.
As many as 10 per cent of motorists have suffered damage to their cars from potholes, with many others probably not realising their vehicle has been affected.
Around five per cent of cars have even failed MoT tests because of pothole damage, the poll showed.
Esure.com pointed out that pothole damage to a rear axle or a suspension system can cost up to 1,000 to repair.
Mike Pickard, head of risk and underwriting at esure.com, said: "Potholes are becoming an unavoidable danger for motorists, particularly as swerving to miss them can be even more hazardous.
"We would advise drivers to make sure they check their car for damage immediately after driving over a pothole and be extra sensitive to any difference to the steering of their car."
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