# NHTSA VIN Decoder API - Bulk Vehicle Specs Lookup (`pink_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api`) Actor Decode one or up to 500 VINs with NHTSA's official no-key vPIC API. Get make, model, year, manufacturer, body, engine, fuel, drivetrain, plant, dimensions, and reported safety-technology fields. Supports partial VINs and optional model year. Explicit warnings and source evidence. - **URL**: https://apify.com/pink\_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api.md - **Developed by:** [Ava Torres](https://apify.com/pink_comic) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.00 / 1,000 vin decode evidence records 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/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 - Bulk Vehicle Specs Lookup Decode one VIN or a batch of up to 500 VINs through the official public **NHTSA Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)** API. Get normalized vehicle identity, body, engine, fuel, drivetrain, assembly-plant, dimension, restraint, and reported safety-technology fields without an external API key. ### Why use this actor - Official NHTSA vPIC source - One VIN or up to 500 VINs per run - Full and partial VIN support - Optional model-year hint, recommended by NHTSA for partial and older VINs - Total `maxResults` cap and duplicate removal - Stable source-linked output even when fields are missing - Bounded request, status, and response-read retries - Explicit clean, warning, no-decode, and source-unavailable outcomes ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |---|---|---:|---| | `vin` | string | `1HGCM82633A004352` | One 5-17 character full or partial VIN | | `vins` | string[] | — | Up to 500 VINs; takes precedence over `vin` | | `modelYear` | integer | — | Optional year hint applied to every input VIN | | `maxResults` | integer | 100 | Total output cap after de-duplication | #### One VIN ```json { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "modelYear": 2003, "maxResults": 1 } ```` #### Bulk VIN decode ```json { "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352", "5YJSA1E26HF000337", "1FTFW1ET1EFA00001" ], "maxResults": 3 } ``` When `vins` is non-empty, it takes precedence over the single `vin` field. This prevents the default example VIN from appearing in buyer batch output. Leave `modelYear` empty for mixed-year batches. ### Output Every bounded VIN gets one stable record with: - `evidenceStatus`: `VIN_DECODED_CLEAN`, `VIN_DECODED_WITH_WARNINGS`, or `VIN_NOT_DECODED`; - normalized input VIN, NHTSA-returned VIN, error code, and official error text; - make, model, model year, manufacturer, vehicle type, body class, series, and trim; - engine model/manufacturer, cylinders, displacement, power, configuration, fuel, turbo, and electrification; - transmission, speeds, drive type, axles, wheels, wheelbase, weights, bed, and cab; - assembly plant company, city, state, and country; - airbags, seat belts, ABS, ESC, traction control, TPMS, and available driver-assistance fields; - bus, motorcycle, and trailer fields where relevant; - official source endpoint, retrieval time, API message, and interpretation caveat. Example excerpt: ```json { "evidenceStatus": "VIN_DECODED_CLEAN", "inputVin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "decodeSuccessful": true, "errorCode": "0", "make": "HONDA", "model": "Accord", "modelYear": 2003, "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.", "vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR", "bodyClass": "Coupe", "engineCylinders": 6, "displacementL": 2.998832712, "fuelTypePrimary": "Gasoline", "plantCountry": "UNITED STATES (USA)" } ``` ### Important interpretation limits vPIC decode output is manufacturer-data-based vehicle specification evidence. It is **not**: - a vehicle-history or accident report; - a title, registration, ownership, lien, theft, or odometer record; - a recall lookup or proof that recall work was completed; - an inspection, valuation, warranty, or insurance determination; - proof of a vehicle's current physical equipment, modifications, configuration, or condition. NHTSA's API states: **missing decoded values mean NHTSA has no data for those variables. Missing values must not be interpreted as proof that a feature or technology is unavailable.** VIN error codes can identify check-digit, length, character, or decode warnings while still returning useful attributes. Verify consequential decisions against the physical vehicle and the relevant authoritative records. ### Source - [NHTSA vPIC API documentation](https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/) - Batch endpoint: `https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/vehicles/DecodeVINValuesBatch/` - Official batch limit: 50 VINs per request; this actor safely chunks larger buyer lists ### Pricing - Actor start: **$0.0001** - Dataset item: **$0.002** A 500-VIN batch costs about **$1.00** plus the negligible start event. # Actor input Schema ## `vin` (type: `string`): One 5-17 character VIN. Full modern VINs are normally 17 characters. NHTSA also supports partial VINs and \* for unavailable positions. Ignored when VINs contains entries. ## `vins` (type: `array`): Optional list of up to 500 VINs or partial VINs. Duplicates are removed. This list takes precedence over the single VIN field. ## `modelYear` (type: `integer`): Optional model year applied to every VIN. NHTSA recommends supplying it, especially for partial VINs and older/pre-1980 model-year ranges. Leave empty when a batch contains mixed years. ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Total output cap after de-duplication. One output row is returned for each bounded input, including decode warnings or no-decode evidence. ## Actor input object example ```json { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "maxResults": 100 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "maxResults": 100 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("pink_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "maxResults": 100, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("pink_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api").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 '{ "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "maxResults": 100 }' | apify call pink_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=pink_comic/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "NHTSA VIN Decoder API - Bulk Vehicle Specs Lookup", "description": "Decode one or up to 500 VINs with NHTSA's official no-key vPIC API. Get make, model, year, manufacturer, body, engine, fuel, drivetrain, plant, dimensions, and reported safety-technology fields. Supports partial VINs and optional model year. Explicit warnings and source evidence.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "xORhMEMf42etRen9c" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/pink_comic~nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-pink_comic-nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api", "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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/pink_comic~nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-pink_comic-nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/pink_comic~nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-pink_comic-nhtsa-vin-decoder-vehicle-specs-api", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$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", "properties": { "vin": { "title": "VIN or Partial VIN", "pattern": "^[A-HJ-NPR-Za-hj-npr-z0-9*]{5,17}$", "type": "string", "description": "One 5-17 character VIN. Full modern VINs are normally 17 characters. NHTSA also supports partial VINs and * for unavailable positions. Ignored when VINs contains entries.", "default": "1HGCM82633A004352" }, "vins": { "title": "VINs (Bulk)", "maxItems": 500, "type": "array", "description": "Optional list of up to 500 VINs or partial VINs. Duplicates are removed. This list takes precedence over the single VIN field.", "items": { "type": "string", "pattern": "^[A-HJ-NPR-Za-hj-npr-z0-9*]{5,17}$" } }, "modelYear": { "title": "Model Year Hint", "minimum": 1900, "maximum": 2028, "type": "integer", "description": "Optional model year applied to every VIN. NHTSA recommends supplying it, especially for partial VINs and older/pre-1980 model-year ranges. Leave empty when a batch contains mixed years." }, "maxResults": { "title": "Maximum Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Total output cap after de-duplication. One output row is returned for each bounded input, including decode warnings or no-decode evidence.", "default": 100 } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```