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23 per cent of MPs would not go into politics if they had their time again and almost a third have considered quitting, according to a poll conducted for the BBC.
Around 100 MPs took part in a confidential online survey for a BBC2 documentary 'The People's Politician' to be screened tonight, which examines the relationship between MPs and the public.
Low morale in Westminster in the wake of the expenses scandal has contributed to the 31 per cent of MPs who said they sometimes felt like giving up altogether.
And almost three-quarters (72 per cent) said the election will do nothing to neutralise the impact of the expenses row on their public image.
The figures reveal a deep frustration among politicians about public attitude towards MPs.
80 per cent agreed they were seen as "hate figures" by the public who do not have the country's interests at heart.
While 76 per cent of MPs believed voters' expectations were "inconsistent and contradictory". And 80 per cent said the public did not give MPs a fair hearing.
72 per cent of politicians who responded to the survey said they were stressed by their job, perhaps explaining the four in 10 who said they "always" or "often" exceed the government's recommended weekly alcohol limit.
But 58 per cent of MPs said they got "a lot" of satisfaction from their work -and 21 per cent said they could not imagine being happier doing anything else.
None of the 14 per cent of MPs who said they aspired to be prime minister thought they would actually achieve that goal, although one respondent said they had "already done this job".
Tonight's programme will feature six politicians who are standing down, including former Tory leader Michael Howard, speaking about their relationship with their constituents and the effect the expenses scandal had on Parliament.
And Tory MP Ann Widdecombe and Labour's Richard Caborn will look at how to convince the public that voting is worthwhile.
A recent report from the Hansard society revealed that 73 per cent of voters distrusted politicians, while 44 per cent were dissatisfied with how they did their jobs.
And the survey showed that people ranked Parliament as only the sixth most important public institution in the country, behind the media, local councils, business, the civil service, the European Union, the Westminster Parliament, the prime minister and the cabinet.
'The People's Politician' will be screened on BBC 2 at 9pm tonight.
See a list of the MPs who have announced they are stepping down from Parliament at the election here.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd