# Auto.dev

> Automotive data APIs for developers and AI agents: VIN decoding, specifications, retail listings, photos, recalls, financing, taxes, and total cost of ownership. Every endpoint takes a VIN (or a US license plate) and returns JSON.

Auto.dev is a Drivly, Inc. company. The public REST API lives at https://api.auto.dev; the same account also exposes an MCP server, a CLI, and a TypeScript SDK. Full reference docs are at https://docs.auto.dev.

## When to use Auto.dev

Use Auto.dev when an agent or app needs authoritative vehicle data keyed by a VIN or US plate — for example: decode a VIN into year/make/model/trim, pull full specifications, find retail listings and photos, check safety recalls, or estimate payments, interest rates, taxes, and total cost of ownership.

How to call it:
- Base URL: https://api.auto.dev
- Auth: send your API key as `Authorization: Bearer <key>` (recommended), the `?apiKey=<key>` query parameter, or the `X-API-Key` header. Create a key at https://www.auto.dev/dashboard.
- Throughput: 5–50 requests/second depending on plan. On HTTP 429, honor the `Retry-After` header.
- Prefer tools over scraping: connect the MCP server or read the OpenAPI spec below — do not parse these marketing pages.

## API

- [OpenAPI spec (JSON)](https://www.auto.dev/openapi.json): machine-readable description of every endpoint, parameter, and response — ideal for function calling.
- [OpenAPI spec (YAML)](https://www.auto.dev/openapi.yaml): the same spec in YAML.
- [API documentation](https://docs.auto.dev): full reference and examples.
- [Getting started](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/getting-started): authentication and your first request.

## Products

- [Global VIN Decode](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vin-decode): Decode any VIN to access comprehensive vehicle data and specifications. `GET https://api.auto.dev/vin/{vin}` (Free plan+)
- [Plate-to-VIN](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/plate-to-vin): Decode US license plates to get VIN, year, make, model, and more. `GET https://api.auto.dev/plate/{state}/{plate}` (Scale plan+)
- [Specifications](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/specifications): Detailed technical specifications, features, and options for any vehicle model. `GET https://api.auto.dev/specs/{vin}` (Growth plan+)
- [OEM Build Data](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/oem-build-data): Original equipment manufacturer build data and production information. `GET https://api.auto.dev/build/{vin}` (Growth plan+)
- [Vehicle Listings](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-listings): Access millions of active vehicle listings with real-time pricing and availability. `GET https://api.auto.dev/listings/{vin}` (Free plan+)
- [Vehicle Photos](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-photos): High-quality vehicle images and photo galleries for listings and inventory. `GET https://api.auto.dev/photos/{vin}` (Free plan+)
- [Interest Rates](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/interest-rates): Real-time automotive financing rates and lending information. `GET https://api.auto.dev/apr/{vin}` (Growth plan+)
- [Vehicle Payments](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-payments): Calculate monthly payments, financing options, and payment estimates. `GET https://api.auto.dev/payments/{vin}` (Growth plan+)
- [Vehicle Recalls](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vehicle-recalls): Safety recalls, service bulletins, and manufacturer notifications. `GET https://api.auto.dev/recalls/{vin}` (Growth plan+)
- [Open Recalls](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/open-recalls): Active and unresolved vehicle recall information from NHTSA. `GET https://api.auto.dev/openrecalls/{vin}` (Scale plan+)
- [Taxes & Fees](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/taxes-fees): Registration fees, taxes, and location-specific vehicle costs. `GET https://api.auto.dev/taxes/{vin}` (Scale plan+)
- [Total Cost of Ownership](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/total-cost-ownership): Comprehensive ownership costs including depreciation, maintenance, and operating expenses. `GET https://api.auto.dev/tco/{vin}` (Growth plan+)

## Tools for agents

- [MCP server](https://www.auto.dev/mcp): call Auto.dev natively from Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and other MCP clients. Install with `npx @auto.dev/sdk mcp install`, or add `{ "command": "auto", "args": ["--mcp"] }` to your MCP client config.
- [CLI & SDK](https://docs.auto.dev/v2/cli-mcp-sdk): install the CLI and TypeScript SDK with `npm install @auto.dev/sdk`.

## Resources

- [Pricing](https://www.auto.dev/pricing): plans and per-call pricing.
- [Blog](https://www.auto.dev/blog): guides and product updates.