Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Things never seem to slow down here at Pellon Tyres, and that’s no bad thing. Every week brings something a bit different through the doors, and recently we had a job that really sums up the state of Britain’s roads at the moment.

Jaguar I-PACE meets a Yorkshire pothole: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

One interesting customer came in with a Jaguar I-PACE that had taken a hefty knock after hitting a pothole. Sadly, this is something we’re seeing more and more of around Halifax and Calderdale in general.

The impact had damaged both the alloy wheel and the tyre. The tyre in question was a chunky 265/35 R22, and we replaced it with an Imperial economy tyre, same size, with a 102Y load rating, which is perfectly suitable for the weight and performance of the vehicle. It’s a sensible option for customers who want to keep costs under control without compromising safety.

The alloy wheel itself was cracked and buckled – the sort of damage that would have some main dealers sucking air through their teeth and talking about replacement wheels costing thousands.

Repair rather than replace – common sense wins

Instead of going down the eye-watering replacement route, we removed the wheel and took it to a local specialist welder we’ve trusted for years. As usual, they did a cracking job, repairing the alloy properly and safely. Once refitted and balanced, the wheel was spot on again.

That one decision saved our customer a small fortune, and it’s exactly why using an experienced independent garage still makes sense.

A bit of Jaguar I-PACE history in the UK: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

The Jaguar I-PACE is an interesting motor. Launched in 2018, it was Jaguar’s first all-electric production car and a bit of a bold move at the time. Built in Austria but designed very much with British roads in mind, it showed that Jaguar could still innovate while keeping that familiar blend of comfort and performance.

In fact, the I-PACE went on to win World Car of the Year 2019, which wasn’t bad going at all. You see quite a few of them around Yorkshire now, especially with company drivers and folk making the move to electric motoring.

That said, even the cleverest electric car in the world can’t cope with the state of some of our local roads.

Potholes – a real UK problem: Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

Let’s be honest, potholes are becoming a national disgrace. Winter weather, heavy traffic, and stretched council budgets all take their toll, and tyres and suspension parts are often the first casualties.

We regularly see:

Split tyres
Buckled or cracked alloy wheels
Knocked-out wheel alignment
Damaged suspension components

And it doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a small hatchback or a high-end electric Jaguar.

Can you claim from the council? Jaguar with Pothole Damaged Wheel

The good news is yes, you can sometimes claim, although it does take a bit of effort.

Here’s some practical advice if you hit a pothole:

Take photos straight away
Get clear pictures of the pothole, ideally with something showing its depth (a tape measure or shoe helps).
Note the exact location
Road name, nearest house number, landmarks – the more detail the better.
Keep all receipts
Tyres, wheel repairs, tracking – keep everything.
Report the pothole
Use your local council’s website to report it as dangerous.
Submit a claim
Councils usually have an online claim form. Be prepared – they may say they didn’t know about the pothole, which is their usual get-out.

It’s not guaranteed, but plenty of drivers do get money back, especially if the pothole has already been reported by others.

Final thoughts from the workshop

This Jaguar I-PACE job is a good example of how practical repairs and local know-how can save customers serious money. A sensible tyre choice, a proper alloy repair, and an honest approach beat unnecessary replacements every time.

If you’ve clouted a pothole and you’re worried about your tyres or wheels, it’s always best to get things checked sooner rather than later. What looks minor can sometimes turn into a bigger problem down the line.

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