James May was left a little embarrassed as he drove a Reliant Robin through Westminster - only for the car to break down.

The former Top Gear host looked a bit of a plonker as the vehicle - well known to fans of British comedy Only Fools And Horses - came to a stop outside the Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

Pictures show May climbing out of the three-wheeler and pushing it out of the way after the unfortunate mechanical fault.

(Image: i-Images)

He appeared to be gesturing to photographers and other motorists as he held up one hand, with another reaching through the window to the steering wheel.

Read more:James May reckons Chris Evans is purposely faking Top Gear filming problems

The brown car had a logo for 'W. Chump & Sons' - who are owned by May, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Andy Wilman - on the side, revealing it as one of four Reliant Robin's purchased by the company in late 2015.

(Image: i-Images)

Filming is ongoing for May, Clarkson and Hammond's upcoming motoring show for Amazon Prime, which is expected to be available later this year.

(Image: i-Images)

It comes after the star cheated death after losing control of his Porsche when Storm Imogen battered the UK earlier this month .

"My 911 tried to kill me tonight by aquaplaning massively on the A303," he said, after the incident on the dual carriageway near Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.