# VIN Decoder: Bulk Vehicle Specs from NHTSA (`pankajbhatia/vin-decoder-nhtsa`) Actor

Decode VINs in bulk with the official U.S. NHTSA database: make, model, year, trim, body, engine, fuel, drive, transmission, plant and safety features. 50 VINs per request, no key, vehicle specs only.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/vin-decoder-nhtsa.md
- **Developed by:** [Pankaj Bhatia](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia) (community)
- **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $1.00 / 1,000 vin decodeds

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

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

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
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.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## 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.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## VIN Decoder: Bulk Vehicle Specs from NHTSA

Decode **Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)** in bulk with the official U.S. **NHTSA vPIC** database. Each row includes make, model, model year, trim, series, manufacturer, vehicle type, body class, doors, seats, drive type, fuel type, electrification level, engine (cylinders, liters, horsepower), transmission, weight class, assembly plant and a summary of **safety features** (ABS, ESC, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring, airbags). Up to 50 VINs per request. No login, no API key.

### Who is it for?

- **Car dealers and marketplaces** filling listing details from a VIN.
- **Insurance, fleet and leasing companies** checking vehicle specs at scale.
- **Auto parts stores** matching parts to vehicles.
- **Data teams** cleaning and enriching vehicle datasets.

### How to use it

1. Paste your **VINs**, one per line. If a VIN is older or ambiguous, add the model year after a comma, e.g. `5YJ3E1EA7KF317000, 2019`.
2. Turn on **Include all NHTSA fields** if you need every one of the 140+ fields.
3. Click **Start** and export to JSON, CSV or Excel.

### Input example

```json
{"vins": ["1HGCM82633A004352", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000, 2019"]}
```

### Output example

```json
{"vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "make": "HONDA", "model": "Accord", "modelYear": 2003, "trim": "EX-V6", "bodyClass": "Coupe", "fuelType": "Gasoline", "engineCylinders": 6, "engineLiters": 3, "transmission": "Automatic", "plantCountry": "UNITED STATES (USA)", "decodeStatus": "ok", "checkDigitValid": true}
```

`decodeStatus` is `partial` when NHTSA reports a warning, such as a wrong check digit; `decodeNotes` explains why.

### How much does it cost?

Pay-per-event: a small fee **per VIN decoded**, plus a tiny per-run start fee, with no subscription and no separate platform usage costs. For example, 1,000 VINs cost about $1. Invalid VINs and VINs that cannot be decoded are **not charged**. Set **Maximum cost per run** to cap your spending.

### Use it through the API, integrations or AI agents

Run it from the Apify API, on a schedule, or connect it to Make, Zapier, n8n or Google Sheets. AI agents can find and call it through the Apify MCP server. Output is clean JSON with the same fields on every run.

### FAQ

**Is it legal?** Yes. vPIC is a free public service of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and its data is in the public domain. A VIN decode returns factory specifications only. It never reveals owners, registration or accident history.

**Does it work for non-U.S. cars?** Best for vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada. Many European and Asian VINs decode make and year, but with fewer details.

**Can it check recalls?** Not this tool. Use our Product Recalls tool for NHTSA recalls.

### More tools from this developer

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- [Tech Stack Detector](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/tech-stack-detector): find what any website is built with
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- [ATS Jobs Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/ats-jobs-scraper): jobs from Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable and more
- [Website Screenshot](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/website-screenshot): full-page, mobile and PDF screenshots in bulk
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- [SEO Meta Tags & On-Page Audit](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/seo-meta-tags-checker): bulk on-page SEO audit with fixes
- [Bulk URL Status & Broken Link Checker](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/url-status-broken-link-checker): status codes, redirect chains and broken links
- [RSS & Atom Feed Reader](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/rss-feed-reader): merge and filter many news feeds
- [Hacker News Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/hacker-news-scraper): HN stories, comments and Who is hiring jobs
- [Academic Paper Search](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/academic-paper-search): papers from Crossref, arXiv and PubMed
- [SEC EDGAR Filings & Financials](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/sec-edgar-filings-financials): 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K filings and company financials
- [Apple Podcasts Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/apple-podcasts-scraper): podcast details and full episode lists
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- [USAspending Federal Awards](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/usaspending-federal-awards): who won federal contracts and grants
- [Grants.gov Opportunities](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/grants-gov-opportunities): open and forecasted federal grants
- [Weather Forecast & Alerts](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/weather-forecast-alerts): 9-day forecasts for any city, plus U.S. alerts
- [EU TED Tenders Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/ted-eu-tenders-scraper): European public procurement notices
- [Bulk Domain Availability Checker](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/bulk-domain-availability-checker): check which domains are free to register
- [Product Recalls Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/product-recalls-fda-cpsc-nhtsa): FDA, CPSC and NHTSA vehicle recalls
- [Federal Register Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/federal-register-documents): U.S. rules, notices and comment deadlines
- [npm & PyPI Package Stats](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/npm-pypi-package-stats): downloads, versions and licenses for packages
- [Open Library Books Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/open-library-books-scraper): book search and ISBN lookup
- [UK Contracts Finder Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/uk-contracts-finder-scraper): UK public tenders and contract awards
- [Wikipedia Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/wikipedia-scraper): articles, full text and page views
- [Currency Exchange Rates (ECB)](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/currency-exchange-rates-ecb): official latest and historical FX rates
- [Barcode Product Lookup](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/barcode-product-lookup): EAN/UPC barcodes to product and nutrition data
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- [PubMed Scraper](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/pubmed-scraper): biomedical articles and abstracts
- [US Address Geocoder (Census)](https://apify.com/pankajbhatia/us-census-address-geocoder): lat/long, county and tract for U.S. addresses

# Actor input Schema

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

17-character VINs, one per line. Optionally add the model year: VIN, 2019.

## `includeAllFields` (type: `boolean`):

Add every non-empty NHTSA field (140+) as allFields.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "vins": [
    "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000",
    "1FTFW1ET5DFC10312"
  ],
  "includeAllFields": false
}
```

# Actor output Schema

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

One row per VIN with decoded vehicle specifications and safety features.

# 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",
        "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000",
        "1FTFW1ET5DFC10312"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("pankajbhatia/vin-decoder-nhtsa").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",
        "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000",
        "1FTFW1ET5DFC10312",
    ] }

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

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).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",
    "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000",
    "1FTFW1ET5DFC10312"
  ]
}' |
apify call pankajbhatia/vin-decoder-nhtsa --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,pankajbhatia/vin-decoder-nhtsa"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/P8US2DiwEyS8zL9Jw/builds/wUHbfIpGJ0dNQhS8c/openapi.json