Car API (carapi.app)

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
position: Consumer
access: 3rd-Party
image: https://kinlane-productions2.s3.amazonaws.com/apis-json/apis-json-logo.jpg
tags:
  - 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: '0.19'
apis:
  - aid: car-api:vehicle-api
    name: CarAPI Vehicle API
    description: The CarAPI Vehicle API provides REST/JSON access to a vehicle database covering year/make/model (1900-2026),
      sub-models, trims (1990-2026), bodies, engines, mileage, interior, and exterior attributes. Authentication uses JWT tokens
      obtained from /api/auth/login with an api_token and api_secret. The API supports pagination (up to 1000 per page), sorting,
      JSON filter queries with operators, and modified-since caching. Responses are available as application/json, application/ld+json,
      and application/hal+json. CORS is not supported; the API is intended for server-side integration.
    humanURL: https://carapi.app/
    baseURL: https://carapi.app/api
    tags:
    - Automobiles
    - Vehicle API
    - Vehicle Specifications
    - Vehicles
    properties:
    - url: https://carapi.app/
      type: Documentation
    - url: https://carapi.app/docs
      type: Developer
    - url: https://carapi.app/api
      type: API
    - url: openapi/car-api-openapi-original.yml
      type: OpenAPI
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-account.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-auth.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-bodies.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-colors-exterior.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-colors-interior.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-data-feeds.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-engines.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-makes.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-mileages.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-models.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-trims.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-vehicle-attributes.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-vin-decoder.yaml
    - type: NaftikoCapability
      url: capabilities/car-years.yaml
    x-features:
    - REST/JSON vehicle database with OpenAPI documentation
    - Year/make/model coverage 1900-2026 (trims 1990-2026)
    - JWT authentication via /api/auth/login endpoint
    - Pagination, sorting, and JSON filter queries with in/>=/operators
    - JSON, JSON-LD (application/ld+json), and HAL (application/hal+json) responses
    - Modified-since timestamps for cache validation
    - Swagger UI, ReDoc, Postman, and GitHub docs
    - Public dataset available without account for prototyping
    x-use-cases:
    - Vehicle dropdowns and VIN-aware forms in auto-commerce apps
    - Automotive marketplaces and classifieds
    - Fleet management and telematics dashboards
    - Insurance quoting and underwriting vehicle lookups
    - Repair shop and service advisor applications
    - Vehicle research and comparison tools
  - 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
    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
common:
  - 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: [email protected]