Shercar enables those in possession of a county court warrant to find out within 48 hours details about a vehicle’s registered keeper.

By keying a case number into the website and paying a small fee, the online system is much quicker and more efficient than the old paper procedure.

Shergroup Chief Executive Claire Sandbrook explained: "We knew there was a market for this kind of service but we had no clue that it would be so successful.

"Very few organisations are legitimately allowed to access the DVLA database but, as the UK's leading High Court enforcement agency, we were given their backing to develop this website on behalf of our clients.

"Once a user has keyed in the registration number, we can confirm who the vehicle is registered to, can visit their premises to check they are the owner and not just the registered keeper, can then establish if it is subject to finance arrangements.

"We can even discover if it has been stolen or written off and arrange for it to be towed away from anywhere in the country and sold at auction.

"Whether it is a mini or a juggernaut, we can remove that vehicle for sale. We have a removal helpline, and even an auctioneers' panel set up through sister company Sherforce, to take the worry away from people whose job it is to recoup money owed."