VIN Decode

Decode any VIN to get comprehensive vehicle specifications

GET Request

~150ms response

1 credit per request

Endpoint

GET https://api.carapi.dev/v1/vin-decode/{vin}

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
vin	string	Required	17-character Vehicle Identification Number (URL path parameter)
token	string	Required	API authentication token (query parameter)

Request Examples

cURL

curl -X GET \
  "https://api.carapi.dev/v1/vin-decode/WBAKU210X00R62021?token=YOUR_API_KEY"

JavaScript

// Using fetch API
const response = await fetch('https://api.carapi.dev/v1/vin-decode/WBAKU210X00R62021?token=YOUR_API_KEY', {
  method: 'GET',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  }
});

const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

Python

import requests

url = "https://api.carapi.dev/v1/vin-decode/WBAKU210X00R62021"
params = {
    "token": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}

response = requests.get(url, params=params)
data = response.json()
print(data)

Response Examples

Success Response (200)

{
  "vin": "WBAKU210X00R62021",
  "specifications": {
    "make": "BMW",
    "model": "X6",
    "fuel": "petrol",
    "transmission": "automatic",
    "enginePower": 225,
    "enginePowerUnit": "kW",
    "bodyStyle": "SUV",
    "drivetrain": "ALL_WHEEL_DRIVE",
    "color": "GRAY",
    "registrationDate": "2016-05-04T00:00:00.000Z"
  },
  "manufacturer": {
    "name": "BMW AG",
    "region": "Europe",
    "country": "Germany"
  },
  "features": [
    { "name": "ABS", "category": "SAFETY_SYSTEM" },
    { "name": "ESP", "category": "SAFETY_SYSTEM" },
    { "name": "BLIND_SPOT_MONITOR", "category": "SAFETY_SYSTEM" },
    { "name": "ADAPTIVE_CRUISE_CONTROL", "category": "ASSISTANCE_SYSTEM" },
    { "name": "PARKING_CAMERA", "category": "ASSISTANCE_SYSTEM" },
    { "name": "CENTRAL_LOCKING", "category": "VEHICLE_SECURITY" },
    { "name": "LEATHER_UPHOLSTERY", "category": "INTERIOR_FEATURE" },
    { "name": "SUNROOF", "category": "INTERIOR_FEATURE" }
  ],
  "plateNumber": null
}

Error Response (400)

{
  "error": "Invalid VIN: VIN must be exactly 17 characters long (got 16)."
}

Response Fields

Field	Type	Description
vin	string	The original VIN number provided
specifications	object	Vehicle specifications object
specifications.make	string	Vehicle manufacturer (e.g., Honda, Toyota)
specifications.model	string	Vehicle model name (e.g., Civic, Camry)
specifications.fuel	string	Primary fuel type (petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid)
specifications.transmission	string	Transmission type (manual, automatic)
specifications.enginePower	number\|null	Engine power in kilowatts (kW). Null when unknown.
specifications.enginePowerUnit	string\|null	Unit for enginePower — always "kW" when present, otherwise null
specifications.bodyStyle	string\|null	Body style. One of: HATCHBACK, CABRIOLET, COMBI, COUPE, MPV, PICK_UP, SEDAN, SUV, VAN, MOTORCYCLE, TRUCK, BUS, OTHER
specifications.drivetrain	string\|null	Drivetrain. One of: FRONT_WHEEL_DRIVE, REAR_WHEEL_DRIVE, ALL_WHEEL_DRIVE, OTHER
specifications.color	string\|null	Exterior color. One of: BEIGE, WHITE, BLACK, RED, PURPLE, BROWN, BLUE, ORANGE, PINK, SILVER, GRAY, BURGUNDY, GREEN, YELLOW, OTHER
specifications.registrationDate	string	First registration date (ISO 8601 format)
manufacturer	object\|null	Manufacturer details derived from the VIN World Manufacturer Identifier (first 3 characters)
manufacturer.name	string\|null	Manufacturer name (e.g., Audi AG)
manufacturer.region	string	Manufacturing region (e.g., Europe, North America)
manufacturer.country	string	Manufacturing country (e.g., Germany)
features	array	Array of vehicle features. Each item is an object with name and category.
features[].name	string	Feature identifier (e.g., ABS, SUNROOF, ADAPTIVE_CRUISE_CONTROL)
features[].category	string\|null	Feature category. One of: SAFETY_SYSTEM, ASSISTANCE_SYSTEM, VEHICLE_SECURITY, INTERIOR_FEATURE
plateNumber	object\|null	Associated plate number information (if available)
plateNumber.country	string	Country code of the plate
plateNumber.plateNumber	string	License plate number

Error Codes

400

Bad Request

Invalid VIN format or missing required parameters

403

Forbidden

Invalid or missing API token

404

Not Found

VIN not found in database

500

Internal Server Error

Server encountered an error processing the request

Important Notes

•VIN must be exactly 17 characters long and contain only alphanumeric characters (except I, O, and Q)
•Response times are typically under 150ms with global CDN caching
•Each successful request consumes 1 API credit from your monthly allowance
•Data is sourced from official manufacturer databases and updated regularly