Auto Trader has developed an iPhone app that uses image-recognition technology to read car number plates.

The popular motoring website said the new app enables users to quickly search for vital vehicle info, making car-buying decisions easier.

The Auto Trader Mobile iPhone App can provide make and model records as well as figures around the car’s performance and economy, making it easier for customers to decide what to buy.

Additionally, the application will allow users to search for information on similar cars and dealers in the area via access to the Auto Trader listings, enabling like for like price comparisons.

A user can find a suitable car on the roadside and then compare this to a model for sale nearby. They can then call the owner for a test drive just by using the functionality of the application.

The software, available at the iTunes app store, even uses GPS and Maps to help users to find their way to the nearest showroom.