Hit a pothole and something does not feel right?

Yorkshire roads have been rough for years and potholes account for a serious share of the tyres we replace. The frustrating part is that pothole damage often does not show up straight away.

What to look for afterwards: a bulge or blister on the sidewall, a cut or a nick in the rubber, a wheel rim that looks flattened or kinked at the edge, and any new vibration through the steering wheel at speed. If the car is pulling to one side or the steering is off centre, the impact may have knocked the tracking out as well as damaging the tyre.

A bulge is the serious one. It means the cords inside the sidewall have snapped and the only thing holding the tyre together at that spot is rubber under pressure. It can let go without warning, and at speed that is a blowout. It cannot be repaired, no matter how good the tread looks. Do not drive on it — ring and we will come to the car.

A gradual pressure loss after a big hit usually means the rim has been deformed and the tyre is no longer sealing on the bead. Sometimes that can be sorted; sometimes the wheel needs attention. We will tell you which once we have the wheel off.

If the pothole was on a public road, photograph it, note where it was and report it to the council. Claims are not straightforward, but they are impossible without evidence.