VIN Decoder API | LookValid

VIN Decoder

Decodes a 17-character vehicle identification number with the US NHTSA vPIC service: model year, make, model, trim, body, engine, drivetrain, assembly plant and the safety equipment NHTSA has on record.

Get API key Read the docs

POST/v1/vin-decoder

1curl -X POST https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/vin-decoder \
2  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LOOKVALID_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{"vin":"1HGCM82633A004352"}'

Read docs

POST/v1/vin-decoder

1const response = await fetch("https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/vin-decoder", {
2  method: "POST",
3  headers: {
4    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.LOOKVALID_API_KEY}`,
5    "Content-Type": "application/json",
6  },
7  body: JSON.stringify({
8    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352"
9  }),
10});
11const result = await response.json();
12console.log(result.found, result.data);

Read docs

POST/v1/vin-decoder

1import os
2import requests
3
4response = requests.post(
5    "https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/vin-decoder",
6    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['LOOKVALID_API_KEY']}"},
7    json={
8        "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352"
9    },
10)
11result = response.json()
12print(result["found"], result["data"])

Read docs

200Captured example, 2026-10-18

1{
2  "product": "vin-decoder",
3  "found": true,
4  "data": {
5    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
6    "model_year": 2003,
7    "make": "HONDA",
8    "model": "Accord",
9    "trim": "EX-V6",
10    "series": null,
11    "vehicle_type": "PASSENGER CAR",
12    "body_class": "Coupe",
13    "doors": 2,
14    "drive_type": null,
15    "transmission": "Automatic",
16    "fuel_type_primary": "Gasoline",
17    "fuel_type_secondary": null,
18    "electrification_level": null,
19    "engine": {
20      "cylinders": 6,
21      "displacement_l": 3,
22      "horsepower": 240,
23      "kw": null,
24      "model": "J30A4",
25      "configuration": "V-Shaped",
26      "turbo": null,
27      "manufacturer": null
28    },
29    "plant": {
30      "city": "MARYSVILLE",
31      "state": "OHIO",
32      "country": "UNITED STATES (USA)",
33      "company": null
34    },
35    "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.",
36    "gvwr": "Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)",
37    "safety": {
38      "abs": null,
39      "esc": null,
40      "tpms": null,
41      "traction_control": null,
42      "seat_belts": "Manual",
43      "airbags": {
44        "front": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)",
45        "side": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)",
46        "curtain": "1st and 2nd Rows",
47        "knee": null,
48        "seat_cushion": null
49      },
50      "driver_assistance": {
51        "forward_collision_warning": null,
52        "lane_departure_warning": null,
53        "lane_keep_system": null,
54        "blind_spot_monitoring": null,
55        "parking_assist": null,
56        "adaptive_cruise_control": null,
57        "crash_imminent_braking": null,
58        "dynamic_brake_support": null,
59        "pedestrian_automatic_emergency_braking": null,
60        "rear_visibility_system": null,
61        "rear_cross_traffic_alert": null,
62        "rear_automatic_emergency_braking": null,
63        "blind_spot_intervention": null,
64        "lane_centering_assistance": null,
65        "daytime_running_light": null,
66        "adaptive_driving_beam": null
67      }
68    },
69    "decode_quality": "complete",
70    "warnings": [],
71    "additional_notes": null,
72    "suggested_vin": null,
73    "notes": "Empty values in the source mean NHTSA has no data for that field; they do not mean the vehicle lacks the feature."
74  },
75  "sources": [
76    "NHTSA vPIC vehicle decoder (vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov), US government data"
77  ]
78}

A real run of this lookup on 2026-10-18, using a public input. The envelope fields are left out.Read docs

1 credit per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free)
Charged only when it finds something
Cached 7 days

1 credit per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free)

Charged only when it finds something. A repeat inside 7 days is free.

Every LookValid product draws on one shared balance. See pricing.

From key to answer in three steps

One key, one POST to /v1/vin-decoder and a JSON answer back. The same three steps work in any language that can send HTTPS.

01
Create a key
Sign up and copy a key from the dashboard. The same key works for every LookValid product and for the MCP server.
Terminal
```
export LOOKVALID_API_KEY="lv_live_..."
```

Send the request

POST a JSON body to /v1/vin-decoder. 1 credit per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free).

request.sh

1curl -X POST https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/vin-decoder \
2  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LOOKVALID_API_KEY" \
3  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
4  -d '{"vin":"1HGCM82633A004352"}'

Read the answer

A real run of this lookup on 2026-10-18. The data object has 24 named fields.

response.json

1{
2  "product": "vin-decoder",
3  "found": true,
4  "data": {
5    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
6    "model_year": 2003,
7    "make": "HONDA",
8    "model": "Accord",
9    "trim": "EX-V6",
10    "series": null,
11    "vehicle_type": "PASSENGER CAR",
12    "body_class": "Coupe",
13    "doors": 2,
14    "drive_type": null,
15    "transmission": "Automatic",
16  ...

A structured answer, not a page of text

The data object has 24 named fields. Every response also lists the sources behind the result, the credits charged and whether it was served from your cache.

Fields returned in data by VIN Decoder
Field Type
vin string
model_year number or null
make string or null
model string or null
trim string or null
And 19 more fields in the API reference.
Named fields. The check digit is verified before NHTSA is called. Empty fields mean NHTSA has no data, not that the feature is missing.
1. Your requestone API key
2. Your cache7 daysRepeat: 0 credits
3. Data sourcefirst lookupFound: 1 credit
4. ResultJSON
A repeat lookup is free. Results are cached per account for 7 days. Ask the same question again inside that window and the response comes back with cache_hit: true and no charge.
Terminal
```
# Sent with every request, for every product
Authorization: Bearer $LOOKVALID_API_KEY
```
One key for your code and your agents. Send your API key as a Bearer token. The same key and the same credit balance cover every other LookValid product. AI agents can call it as a tool on the MCP server at https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/mcp.

Fields returned in data by VIN Decoder
Field	Type
vin	string
model_year	number or null
make	string or null
model	string or null
trim	string or null

named fields in every answer

days a repeat lookup is free

lookups on the same key and balance

Latest from the changelog

All changes

Priced in credits

Every LookValid product draws on one shared balance. VIN Decoder uses 1 credit per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free).

See pricing Get API key

Cost

1credit

Per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free)

Found1 credit
Nothing found0 credits
Repeat inside 7 days0 credits
Errors and invalid requests0 credits

Questions about VIN Decoder

01How much does VIN Decoder cost?

1 credit per VIN that decodes (a VIN with no data is free). Credits come out of the one balance shared by every LookValid product.

02Am I charged when nothing is found?

No. When the lookup runs and finds nothing, it returns found: false and costs 0 credits. An error costs nothing either.

03How long are results cached?

For 7 days, per account. Repeating the same lookup inside that window returns cache_hit: true and costs 0 credits.

04Which API key do I use?

The same key as every other product. Send it as a Bearer token in the Authorization header. Email hello@lookvalid.com and we set up your account and send the key.

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VIN Decoder

Create a key

Send the request

Read the answer

Priced in credits

Questions about VIN Decoder

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