CarAPI is a developer-friendly vehicle API and database that provides programmatic access to automotive data including makes, models, trims, bodies, engines, mileage, VIN decoding, license plate decoding, OBD-II diagnostic codes, and power sports vehicle information. The platform follows a freemium model - its public vehicle dataset is available without an account, and paid plans unlock higher daily request limits and production use. The API is REST/JSON with JWT authentication and ships with OpenAPI, Swagger, ReDoc, and Postman documentation.
Car API (carapi.app) publishes 16 APIs on the APIs.io network, including Account API, Auth API, Bodies API, and 13 more. Tagged areas include Automobiles, Automotive Data, Cars, License Plate Decoder, and OBD-II.
The Car API (carapi.app) catalog on APIs.io includes 1 Spectral governance ruleset.
Car API (carapi.app)’s developer surface includes authentication, documentation, pricing, FAQ, signup flow, and 11 more developer resources.
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The CarAPI VIN Decoder API decodes Vehicle Identification Numbers into structured vehicle attributes including year, make, model, trim, body type, engine, transmission, and othe...
The CarAPI License Plate API decodes license plates into vehicle records for US, Canada, Australia, and other supported countries, returning year/make/model/trim and related spe...
The CarAPI OBD-II Code API provides search and lookup across more than 9,000 OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) with code descriptions, used in vehicle diagnostics and autom...
The CarAPI Power Sports API provides vehicle specifications for power sports categories such as motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and similar motor vehicles, following the same REST/JSON...
aid: car-api
url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/car-api/refs/heads/main/apis.yml
name: Car API (carapi.app)
description: CarAPI is a developer-friendly vehicle API and database that provides programmatic access to automotive data
including makes, models, trims, bodies, engines, mileage, VIN decoding, license plate decoding, OBD-II diagnostic codes,
and power sports vehicle information. The platform follows a freemium model - its public vehicle dataset is available without
an account, and paid plans unlock higher daily request limits and production use. The API is REST/JSON with JWT authentication
and ships with OpenAPI, Swagger, ReDoc, and Postman documentation.
type: Index
kind: company
deliveryModel:
model: saas
open_source: false
commercial: true
callable_host: true
label: Hosted service · you call their endpoint
confidence: high
source:
- openapi
- pricing
generated: '2026-08-28'
method: derived
accessModel:
pricing: freemium
onboarding: open
trial: false
try_now: true
public: true
label: Freemium · Open access
confidence: high
source:
- plans
- authentication
generated: '2026-07-22'
method: derived
position: Consuming
access: 3rd-Party
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/icons/car-api.png
tags:
- Automobiles
- Automotive Data
- Cars
- License Plate Decoder
- OBD-II
- Power-Sports
- Vehicle API
- Vehicle Specifications
- Vehicles
- VIN Decoder
tags_raw:
- Automobiles
- Automotive Data
- Cars
- License Plate Decoder
- OBD-II
- Power Sports
- Vehicle API
- Vehicle Specifications
- Vehicles
- VIN Decoder
created: '2024-07-11'
modified: '2026-05-19'
specificationVersion: '0.23'
apis:
- aid: car-api:vin-decoder-api
name: CarAPI VIN Decoder API
description: The CarAPI VIN Decoder API decodes Vehicle Identification Numbers into structured vehicle attributes including
year, make, model, trim, body type, engine, transmission, and other specifications. It reuses the same JWT authentication
and shares the vehicle database that backs the main Vehicle API.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Automobiles
- Vehicles
- VIN Decoder
properties:
- url: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
type: Documentation
- url: https://carapi.app/docs
type: Developer
x-features:
- VIN to year/make/model/trim decoding
- Returns body, engine, transmission, and other specs
- Shared JWT auth with Vehicle API
- JSON/JSON-LD/HAL response formats
x-use-cases:
- Insurance and warranty quote flows
- Used-car listing auto-population
- Lienholder, title, and registration tooling
- Fleet onboarding and telematics provisioning
- aid: car-api:license-plate-api
name: CarAPI License Plate API
description: The CarAPI License Plate API decodes license plates into vehicle records for US, Canada, Australia, and other
supported countries, returning year/make/model/trim and related specifications.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/license-plate-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Automobiles
- License Plate Decoder
- Vehicles
properties:
- url: https://carapi.app/features/license-plate-api
type: Documentation
x-features:
- License plate lookup for US, Canada, Australia, and more
- Returns structured vehicle identification data
- Shared JWT authentication with CarAPI
x-use-cases:
- Curbside appraisal and trade-in tools
- Parking, tolling, and fleet enforcement
- Repair estimate and service bay intake
- Auto insurance quote-by-plate flows
- aid: car-api:obd-code-api
name: CarAPI OBD-II Code API
description: The CarAPI OBD-II Code API provides search and lookup across more than 9,000 OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes
(DTCs) with code descriptions, used in vehicle diagnostics and automotive repair software.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/obd-codes-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Automobiles
- Diagnostics
- OBD-II
- Vehicles
properties:
- url: https://carapi.app/features/obd-codes-api
type: Documentation
x-features:
- Searchable catalog of 9,000+ OBD-II codes
- Code, description, and metadata lookup
- Shared JWT authentication with CarAPI
x-use-cases:
- DIY mechanic and consumer diagnostics apps
- Repair shop service advisor tooling
- Telematics and connected-car dashboards
- Training and educational tools
- aid: car-api:power-sports-api
name: CarAPI Power Sports API
description: The CarAPI Power Sports API provides vehicle specifications for power sports categories such as motorcycles,
ATVs, UTVs, and similar motor vehicles, following the same REST/JSON conventions as the main Vehicle API.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/power-sports
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- ATV
- Motorcycles
- Power-Sports
- UTV
- Vehicles
tags_raw:
- ATV
- Motorcycles
- Power Sports
- UTV
- Vehicles
properties:
- url: https://carapi.app/power-sports
type: Documentation
x-features:
- Motorcycle, ATV, and UTV specifications
- Year/make/model coverage for power sports vehicles
- Shared JWT authentication with CarAPI
- JSON/JSON-LD/HAL response formats
x-use-cases:
- Power sports dealership and marketplace listings
- Insurance quote flows for motorcycles and ATVs
- Parts and accessory fitment catalogs
- Fleet and rental operations for power sports vehicles
- aid: car-api:car-api-account-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Account API
description: The Account API from Car API (carapi.app) — 2 operation(s) for account.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Account
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-account-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-auth-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Auth API
description: The Auth API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for auth.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Authentication
tags_raw:
- Auth
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-auth-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-bodies-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Bodies API
description: The Bodies API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for bodies.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Bodies
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-bodies-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-colors-exterior-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Colors (Exterior) API
description: The Colors (Exterior) API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for colors (exterior).
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Colors (Exterior)
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-colors-exterior-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-colors-interior-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Colors (Interior) API
description: The Colors (Interior) API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for colors (interior).
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Colors (Interior)
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-colors-interior-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-data-feeds-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Data Feeds API
description: The Data Feeds API from Car API (carapi.app) — 2 operation(s) for data feeds.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Data Feeds
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-data-feeds-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-engines-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Engines API
description: The Engines API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for engines.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Engines
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-engines-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-makes-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Makes API
description: The Makes API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for makes.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Makes
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-makes-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-mileages-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Mileages API
description: The Mileages API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for mileages.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Mileages
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-mileages-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-models-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Models API
description: The Models API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for models.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Models
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-models-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-trims-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Trims API
description: The Trims API from Car API (carapi.app) — 2 operation(s) for trims.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Trims
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-trims-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-vehicle-attributes-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Vehicle Attributes API
description: The Vehicle Attributes API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for vehicle attributes.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Vehicle Attributes
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-vehicle-attributes-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-vin-decoder-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Vin Decoder API
description: The Vin Decoder API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for vin decoder.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- VIN Decoder
tags_raw:
- Vin Decoder
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-vin-decoder-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-years-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Years API
description: The Years API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for years.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Years
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-years-api-openapi.yml
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Developer
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- aid: car-api:car-api-authentication-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Authentication API
description: Endpoints for obtaining a JWT token for API access.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Authentication
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-authentication-api-openapi.yml
- aid: car-api:car-api-vehicles-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Vehicles API
description: Operations for retrieving vehicle models, trims, and attributes.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Vehicles
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-vehicles-api-openapi.yml
common:
- type: CapabilityMap
url: capabilities/car-api-capability-edges.yml
name: Car API (carapi.app) Business Capability Map
- type: AgenticAccess
url: agentic-access/car-api-agentic-access.yml
- type: DomainSecurity
url: security/car-api-domain-security.yml
- type: Authentication
url: authentication/car-api-authentication.yml
- type: GitHubOrganization
url: https://github.com/car-api-team
- type: Website
url: https://carapi.app/
- type: Documentation
url: https://carapi.app/docs
- type: API
url: https://carapi.app/api
- type: Pricing
url: https://carapi.app/pricing
- type: Features
url: https://carapi.app/features
- type: FAQ
url: https://carapi.app/features/faq
- type: RateLimits
url: https://carapi.app/docs/rate_limits/
- type: Login
url: https://carapi.app/login
- type: Signup
url: https://carapi.app/register
- type: Contact
url: https://carapi.app/contact
- type: TermsOfService
url: https://carapi.app/terms-of-use
- type: PrivacyPolicy
url: https://carapi.app/privacy-policy
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
email: kin@apievangelist.com
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