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 21 API contracts indexed on the APIs.io network, including Account API, Auth API, Bodies API, and 18 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 14 more developer resources.
Regulatory Posture applies to this provider. Its tags matched the
Energy & Utilities regime, so
Regulatory Posture carries 15 points of the composite.
If this regime is wrong for your business, say so on your
provider repo — the
applicability map is public and we will correct it.
Create-or-Update Ergonomics applies to this provider. This API accepts writes, so it
carries 10 points of the composite. It is scored from the published contracts
themselves: whether a caller can create-or-update in one call, whether the write accepts a key the caller already
holds, and whether the response says which branch ran. Without that, every write needs a search-and-branch in
front of it, and the first time that check is skipped a duplicate record is created.
Scored against the observed mean rather than raw — a provider at the catalog average is unchanged by this facet,
not penalised by it.
The six quality facets above are damped to 75 points between them,
because the conditional facet above carries the other
25. That is why each facet's contribution is shown against a damped
maximum: raising a quality facet moves the composite by 75% of its nominal
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Agent readiness — checks not met, largest first (exact, from this profile):
MCP Server+12 pts — deployment.mode + probe verdict on the mcp/ manifest, not the pointer; an unprobed slug falls back to authorship
Idempotency+9 pts — OpenAPI mutating operations declare an idempotency key — a header, a request-body property, or a named de-duplication token whose own description says so (verified); else common[].type matches /idempoten/i (documented)
A2A Agent Card+8 pts — a2a/-a2a.yml manifest, graded on conformance.grade against A2A 1.0.0
Delegated User Identity+6 pts — a served discovery document listing authorization_code in grant_types_supported (served), else an oauth2 authorizationCode flow or openIdConnect declared in an OpenAPI (documented)
Typed Event Surface+6 pts — AsyncAPI document, OR webhooks/callbacks objects in the as-published OpenAPI, OR common[].type includes Webhooks
7 more unmet checks in the Agent Readiness table above.
Kin Score — facets with the most composite points still available (weight × headroom):
Standards this provider implements or carries. De facto ones are profiled and measured by the API Commons; formal ones come from the standards directory and are linked by the provider's own tags. The evidence column says how each claim was established — not that it was made.
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...
Not yet checked against Car API (carapi.app)'s own pricing page. Compiled by API Evangelist on 2026-05-05 from carapi.app/pricing; confirm before you rely on a figure. A free plan or tier is listed.
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
gated: none
gated_source:
- onboarding
label: Freemium · Open access
confidence: medium
source:
- plans
- authentication
- security
generated: '2026-11-06'
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 Decoding
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 Decoding
tags_raw:
- 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 Feed
tags_raw:
- 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 Decoding
tags_raw:
- Vin Decoder
- 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-license-plate-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) License Plate API
description: The License Plate API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for license plate.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- License Plate
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-license-plate-api-openapi.yml
- aid: car-api:car-api-obd-codes-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) OBD Codes API
description: The OBD Codes API from Car API (carapi.app) — 2 operation(s) for obd codes.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- OBD Codes
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-obd-codes-api-openapi.yml
- aid: car-api:car-api-sub-models-api
name: Car API (carapi.app) Sub Models API
description: The Sub Models API from Car API (carapi.app) — 1 operation(s) for sub models.
humanURL: https://carapi.app/features/vin-decoder-api
baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
tags:
- Sub Models
properties:
- type: OpenAPI
url: openapi/car-api-sub-models-api-openapi.yml
common:
- type: PostmanWorkspace
url: https://www.postman.com/kinlaneapi/car-api-carapiapp/overview
- type: Plans
url: plans/car-api-plans-pricing.yml
- type: FinOps
url: finops/car-api-finops.yml
- 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
Car API (carapi.app) — frequently asked questions
Does Car API (carapi.app) have an API?
Yes. APIs.io lists 21 APIs from Car API (carapi.app), including CarAPI VIN Decoder API, CarAPI License Plate API and CarAPI OBD-II Code API, and 18 more.
Is there an OpenAPI specification for the Car API (carapi.app)?
Yes. APIs.io indexes 17 OpenAPI specifications for Car API (carapi.app), each linked for download from this page.
How do I authenticate with the Car API (carapi.app)?
Car API (carapi.app) uses bearer-token authentication (http · 1 scheme). The details are profiled on APIs.io as Car Api Authentication.
How much does the Car API (carapi.app) cost?
APIs.io lists 4 pricing plans for Car API (carapi.app), with each plan's price, limits and inclusions under Pricing on this page.
Is the Car API (carapi.app) ready for AI agents?
Car API (carapi.app) has a Kin Score of 35.9 out of 100 (thin) and an Agent Readiness score of 34.4 (agent-ready), scored by API Evangelist on 2026-11-06.
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