More than a quarter of drivers admit to doing a ‘Basil Fawlty’ and taking their anger out on their car.

New research shows 28 per cent of drivers have physically attacked their car, while 27 per cent of motorists have verbally abused their motor.

The survey from an online motor insurer also revealed 51 per cent of drivers talk to their cars and 60 per cent feel emotional if they’re damaged in any way.

John Cleese’s famous hotel-owning character screamed he was going to give his Austin 1100 a ‘damn good thrashing’ before lashing out with a branch after it failed to start for the final time.

The 1975 episode received cult status and people can now purchase a miniature model of the car with the livid Cleese attacking it.

• Above: Auto Trader's Adrian Hearn recreates the famous scene