# NHTSA VIN Decoder API — Batch vPIC VIN Lookup (`malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder`) Actor

Batch-decode VINs via NHTSA vPIC into compact, normalized rows: make, model, year, body class, drivetrain, engine, GVWR, and plant country. One clean row per VIN. Built for fleet, auto-insurance underwriting, and used-car marketplace enrichment. Keyless government data.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder.md
- **Developed by:** [Kyle Maloney](https://apify.com/malonestar) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Developer tools, MCP servers
- **Stats:** 1 total users, 0 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.75 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md):

```bash
npm install apify-client
```

In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md):

```bash
pip install apify-client
```

In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):

````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash

In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md).

If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).


# README

## NHTSA VIN Decoder API — Batch vPIC VIN Lookup

Decode a batch of **VINs** into clean, normalized rows using the official **NHTSA vPIC** database (keyless, free, US government source). This actor takes the raw ~130-field vPIC response, keeps only the high-value fields, drops the ~100 empty ones, and returns **one tidy row per VIN** — ready to join straight into your fleet, underwriting, or marketplace pipeline.

> **VIN decoder API for bulk vehicle lookups** — make, model, year, body class, drivetrain, engine, GVWR, and plant, normalized and batchable.

### Who it's for
- **Fleet & telematics teams** — enrich vehicle rosters with make/model/year/body/engine from just the VIN.
- **Auto insurers & underwriting** — pull standardized vehicle attributes for rating and risk enrichment.
- **Used-car marketplaces & dealership tools** — auto-fill listing specs from a VIN at scale.
- **Warranty & lending providers** — verify vehicle class, drivetrain, and weight rating before issuing coverage.
- **Data teams** — a compact, stable-schema VIN feed you can decode thousands at a time.

### What it does
- Accepts an array of VINs (plain strings **or** `{ vin, modelYear }` objects; a `*` can stand in for the check digit / unknown positions).
- Decodes each VIN via the NHTSA vPIC `decodevinvalues` GET endpoint (optional `extended` mode for extra variables).
- Normalizes to snake_case fields and **drops every empty field** vPIC returns, so rows stay compact.
- Adds a `decode_valid` boolean derived from vPIC's `ErrorCode` (`"0"` = fully clean decode).

### Example input
```json
{
  "vins": ["5UXWX7C5*BA", "1HGBH41JXMN109186", { "vin": "1FTFW1ET5DFC10312", "modelYear": 2013 }],
  "extended": false
}
````

### Output fields (one row per VIN)

| field | description |
|-------|-------------|
| `vin` | The VIN that was decoded |
| `make` | Vehicle make / brand |
| `model` | Vehicle model |
| `model_year` | Model year |
| `manufacturer` | Manufacturing company |
| `vehicle_type` | NHTSA vehicle type |
| `body_class` | Body class / style |
| `series` | Series (when present) |
| `trim` | Trim level |
| `drive_type` | Drivetrain (FWD/RWD/AWD/4WD) |
| `engine_cylinders` | Cylinder count |
| `displacement_l` | Engine displacement (liters) |
| `fuel_type_primary` | Primary fuel type |
| `doors` | Number of doors |
| `gvwr` | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating class |
| `plant_country` | Assembly plant country |
| `plant_state` | Assembly plant state (when present) |
| `error_code` | vPIC ErrorCode (`0` = clean) |
| `error_text` | Human-readable vPIC status |
| `decode_valid` | `true` only when ErrorCode is `0` |

Empty vPIC fields are omitted per row, so partial decodes (e.g. very old VINs) return just the fields NHTSA actually has.

### Use as an MCP tool

This actor is callable by AI agents (Claude, Cursor, etc.) via [mcp.apify.com](https://mcp.apify.com). Its clean field-level output descriptions make it a good chainable **VIN enrichment tool**: pass an agent a list of VINs and get back structured vehicle specs to feed the next step.

### FAQ

**Is this a free VIN decoder?** It runs on NHTSA vPIC, which is free and keyless. You pay only Apify's per-result usage for the convenience of batch decoding + normalization.

**Can I decode VINs in bulk?** Yes — pass an array of VINs; the actor loops the reliable per-VIN GET decode and emits one row each. Use `maxVins` to cap a run.

**What about incomplete or old VINs?** vPIC still returns what it knows plus an `ErrorCode`. `decode_valid` is `true` only for a clean `ErrorCode 0`; otherwise inspect `error_code` / `error_text`.

**Can I get extra fields (battery, safety, etc.)?** Set `extended: true` to use vPIC's extended endpoint. This actor keeps a curated high-value subset by default for a compact schema.

**How do I disambiguate older VINs?** Provide the model year with `{ "vin": "...", "modelYear": 2013 }`.

***

*Data source: U.S. NHTSA vPIC (vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov). Not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.*

# Actor input Schema

## `vins` (type: `array`):

List of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to decode. Each item can be a plain VIN string (e.g. "1HGCM82633A004352") or an object { "vin": "...", "modelYear": 2013 } to help vPIC disambiguate older VINs. A "\*" can stand in for the check digit or unknown positions (partial VINs decode but are flagged decode\_valid=false).

## `extended` (type: `boolean`):

Use the vPIC decodevinvaluesextended endpoint for additional variables. Leave off for the standard, faster decode.

## `maxVins` (type: `integer`):

Safety cap on how many VINs to decode in one run (the input list is truncated to this length).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "vins": [
    "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "JH4KA7561PC008269"
  ],
  "extended": false,
  "maxVins": 10000
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

The default dataset of decoded VINs.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "vins": [
        "1HGCM82633A004352",
        "JH4KA7561PC008269"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "vins": [
        "1HGCM82633A004352",
        "JH4KA7561PC008269",
    ] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "vins": [
    "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "JH4KA7561PC008269"
  ]
}' |
apify call malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=malonestar/nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "NHTSA VIN Decoder API — Batch vPIC VIN Lookup",
        "description": "Batch-decode VINs via NHTSA vPIC into compact, normalized rows: make, model, year, body class, drivetrain, engine, GVWR, and plant country. One clean row per VIN. Built for fleet, auto-insurance underwriting, and used-car marketplace enrichment. Keyless government data.",
        "version": "1.0",
        "x-build-id": "MEAeK4cp88Tp7ies4"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/malonestar~nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-malonestar-nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/malonestar~nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-malonestar-nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK",
                        "content": {
                            "application/json": {
                                "schema": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/malonestar~nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-malonestar-nhtsa-vpic-vin-decoder",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    "components": {
        "schemas": {
            "inputSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "required": [
                    "vins"
                ],
                "properties": {
                    "vins": {
                        "title": "VINs to decode",
                        "type": "array",
                        "description": "List of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to decode. Each item can be a plain VIN string (e.g. \"1HGCM82633A004352\") or an object { \"vin\": \"...\", \"modelYear\": 2013 } to help vPIC disambiguate older VINs. A \"*\" can stand in for the check digit or unknown positions (partial VINs decode but are flagged decode_valid=false).",
                        "default": [
                            "1HGCM82633A004352",
                            "JH4KA7561PC008269"
                        ]
                    },
                    "extended": {
                        "title": "Use extended decode",
                        "type": "boolean",
                        "description": "Use the vPIC decodevinvaluesextended endpoint for additional variables. Leave off for the standard, faster decode.",
                        "default": false
                    },
                    "maxVins": {
                        "title": "Max VINs",
                        "minimum": 1,
                        "maximum": 100000,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Safety cap on how many VINs to decode in one run (the input list is truncated to this length).",
                        "default": 10000
                    }
                }
            },
            "runsResponseSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "data": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "id": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "actId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "userId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "startedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "finishedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "status": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "READY"
                            },
                            "meta": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "origin": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "API"
                                    },
                                    "userAgent": {
                                        "type": "string"
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "stats": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "inputBodyLen": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2000
                                    },
                                    "rebootCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "restartCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "resurrectCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "computeUnits": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "options": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "build": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "latest"
                                    },
                                    "timeoutSecs": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 300
                                    },
                                    "memoryMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1024
                                    },
                                    "diskMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2048
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "buildId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultDatasetId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultRequestQueueId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "buildNumber": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "1.0.0"
                            },
                            "containerUrl": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "usage": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "usageTotalUsd": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "example": 0.00005
                            },
                            "usageUsd": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "number",
                                        "example": 0.00005
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```