Skip to content

Overview

Automotive data APIs for developers. Subscribe to a flat monthly plan with a shared token budget — same endpoints on every tier.

For AI agents & vibe coding

Copy-paste prompts, global coverage (not US-only like NHTSA), and machine-readable context for LLMs.

OpenAPI reference

Machine-readable spec is published by the backend. Interactive Swagger UI:

https://api.carsage.dev/docs

Base URL

https://api.carsage.dev/

Product routes are versioned under /v1/...

Quick Start

  1. Create an account
  2. Complete setup (organization → subscription → API key)
  3. Copy your API key from API Keys
  4. Run your first request (example below)
curl -X GET "https://api.carsage.dev/v1/vin/decode/WP0AF2A99KS165242" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"

Authentication

Send your API key in the Authorization header or as X-API-Key:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

Example: GET /v1/vin/decode/WP0AF2A99KS165242

APIs by Plan

Every self-serve plan is a flat monthly Stripe subscription with a shared token budget. Lite endpoints cost 1 token each; VIN Decode Full costs 5 tokens. When tokens run out, requests return 429 until the next billing period. All live endpoints below are available on every tier — plans differ by token allowance and rate limit.

Starter

$20/mo · 200 tokens/mo · 5 req/sec. Monthly token budget for early integrations.

Build

$50/mo · 550 tokens/mo · 15 req/sec. More tokens and higher throughput for growing apps.

Ship

$100/mo · 1,200 tokens/mo · 30 req/sec. Production volume with a larger monthly token pool.

Scale

$200/mo · 2,600 tokens/mo · 50 req/sec. High volume for platforms and marketplaces.

Bulk

$450/mo · 6,000 tokens/mo · 100 req/sec. Maximum self-serve token allowance and rate limit.

Enterprise

Custom token allowance, SLA, and contract billing. Contact sales.

Available Endpoints

  • VIN Decode

    Decode a VIN to year, make, model, and core vehicle attributes.

    Request

    GET /v1/vin/decode/:vin

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • VIN Decode Full

    Extended VIN decode with additional fields beyond the basic response.

    Request

    GET /v1/vin/decode/:vin/full

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Vehicle Recalls

    Open and historical recall campaigns for a vehicle by VIN.

    Request

    GET /v1/vehicle/:vin/recalls

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Safety Ratings

    Crash-test and safety rating data for a vehicle by VIN.

    Request

    GET /v1/vehicle/:vin/safety

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Fuel Economy

    EPA fuel economy ratings and related efficiency data by VIN.

    Request

    GET /v1/vehicle/:vin/fuel-economy

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Plate-to-VIN

    Look up a VIN from a license plate number.

    Request

    GET /v1/plate/:plate/vin

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Market Value

    Estimated market value for a vehicle by VIN.

    Request

    GET /v1/vehicle/:vin/market-value

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Stolen Vehicle Check

    Check whether a vehicle has been reported stolen.

    Request

    GET /v1/vehicle/:vin/stolen-check

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

  • Batch VIN Decode

    Decode multiple VINs in a single request.

    Request

    POST /v1/batch/vin/decode

    Minimum plan: All plans · pricing details

Coming Soon

These products are not on the API yet. They are hidden from plan cards until launch. See the full roadmap.

  • Specifications

    Detailed technical specifications, features, and options for any vehicle model.

  • Total Cost of Ownership

    Ownership cost estimates including fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.

  • Taxes & Fees

    Registration taxes and fees by state and vehicle attributes.

  • OEM Build Data

    Factory equipment details and original build sheet information.

  • Vehicle Photos

    High-quality vehicle images and photo galleries.

  • Vehicle Listings

    Active vehicle listings with pricing and availability.

  • Interest Rates

    Auto loan interest rate benchmarks and lender data.

  • Vehicle Payments

    Monthly payment estimates for financing scenarios.

  • Open Recalls

    Dedicated open-recall lookup (use Vehicle Recalls today).