Comparison
Kermo vs DVSA MOT Checker
Both tools use exactly the same official DVSA data. The difference is what you can do with it. The government checker answers one question: did this car pass its MOT? Kermo is built to help you make smarter decisions — whether you're buying a car, tracking your own, or trying to save money on fuel.
| Feature | DVSA | Kermo |
|---|---|---|
| Free MOT history check | ||
| Official DVSA data | ||
| No account required | ||
| Mileage history timeline | ||
| Highlighted mileage anomalies | ||
| MOT expiry reminders by email | ||
| Road tax expiry reminders | ||
| Save vehicles to a garage | ||
| Local fuel price comparison | ||
| Petrol & diesel prices near you | ||
| MOT & car guides | ||
| Mobile-friendly design | Partial |
1. Mileage history — the clocking detector
The DVSA checker shows you the mileage at each test, but as a plain number buried in a table. Kermo surfaces anomalies — a sudden drop in recorded mileage between years is one of the clearest signs a car's odometer has been tampered with. The official tool gives you the data. Kermo helps you read it.
2. MOT and tax expiry reminders
The DVSA checker is a lookup tool — you visit it when you need it. Kermo's Garage lets you save your own vehicles and receive email reminders before your MOT or road tax expires. Driving with an expired MOT is illegal and can void your insurance. A free reminder is a cheap way to avoid a £1,000 fine.
3. Fuel price comparison
The DVSA has no fuel price functionality. Kermo shows real-time petrol and diesel prices from stations near any UK location — useful for planning a journey or finding the cheapest fill-up on your regular commute. Prices can vary by 15–20p per litre between stations a few miles apart.
4. When to use the DVSA checker instead
If you need to verify a single MOT certificate is genuine (for legal or insurance purposes), the official DVSA service at gov.uk/check-mot-status is the authoritative source. Both services pull from the same database, but the government site is the official record. For research, buying decisions, and ongoing reminders, Kermo is the better tool.
Try Kermo — it's completely free
No account required for MOT checks. No paywalls. No ads.