# Global VIN Decoder API

> Decode any VIN to find the year, make, model, and more.

Global VIN Decode turns any 17-character VIN into the vehicle's year, make, model, trim, style and origin, and checks that the VIN passes its check-digit validation. Send GET /vin/{vin} with your API key. It is included on the Free plan, then costs $0.0025 per call on Growth and $0.0015 on Scale.

## Endpoint

`GET https://api.auto.dev/vin/{vin}`

- `vin` (path): 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (letters and digits, excluding I, O, and Q). Format: `[A-HJ-NPR-Z0-9]{17}`.

Authenticate with `Authorization: Bearer <key>`, `?apiKey=<key>` or `X-API-Key: <key>`.

```sh
curl "https://api.auto.dev/vin/3GCUDHEL3NG668790" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AUTODEV_API_KEY"
```

## What it returns

- VIN validity and checksum
- World manufacturer identifier (WMI)
- Origin
- Make, model, trim and style
- Model year
- Manufacturer

Response:

```json
{
  "vin": "3GCUDHEL3NG668790",
  "vinValid": true,
  "wmi": "3GC",
  "origin": "Mexico",
  "squishVin": "3GCUDHELNG",
  "checkDigit": "3",
  "checksum": true,
  "type": "Active",
  "make": "Chevrolet",
  "model": "Silverado 1500",
  "trim": "ZR2",
  "style": "4x4 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB",
  "vehicle": {
    "vin": "3GCUDHEL3NG668790",
    "year": 2022,
    "make": "Chevrolet",
    "model": "Silverado 1500",
    "manufacturer": "General Motors de Mexico"
  }
}
```

## Pricing

- Free: included (1,000 calls a month, capped), 5 requests per second
- Growth: $0.0025 per call, 10 requests per second
- Scale: $0.0015 per call, 50 requests per second

## Use it from an AI agent

Hosted MCP server (recommended): https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp, named `auto-dev`. Sign-in is OAuth on first use, so agents never handle an API key.

- Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http auto-dev https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`. Then run /mcp in Claude Code and choose Authenticate for auto-dev.
- Claude Desktop: In Settings, open Connectors, choose Add Custom Connector, name it auto-dev and paste https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp, then sign in
- Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json): `{"mcpServers":{"auto-dev":{"url":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. Restart Cursor. Sign-in opens on the first tool call.
- VS Code (.vscode/mcp.json): `{"servers":{"auto-dev":{"type":"http","url":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. For Copilot agent mode, VS Code 1.99 or later. Sign-in opens on first use.
- Windsurf (~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json): `{"mcpServers":{"auto-dev":{"serverUrl":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. Restart Windsurf. Sign-in opens on the first tool call.
- Grok Bot: send `Add a custom MCP server called auto-dev at https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`. Confirm, then choose Authorize and sign in. Type @auto-dev in a chat to use it.
- Muse: send `Connect Auto.dev`. Or open Settings, then Connectors, and choose Connect next to Auto.dev. Sign in when asked.
- ChatGPT and dots: At chatgpt.com/plugins, choose + and Add custom MCP server, paste https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp and choose OAuth, then Create as a plugin. Your dot uses the same plugin

Or install the `auto` CLI, the local MCP server (`auto --mcp`) and the JavaScript SDK in one package:

```sh
npm install -g @auto.dev/sdk
auto login
auto mcp install
```

- Agent skill: `npx skills add drivly/auto-dev-skill`

This API is the `auto_decode` MCP tool. From the terminal: `auto decode 3GCUDHEL3NG668790`

## Questions

### What does the Global VIN Decode API return?

VIN validity and checksum, world manufacturer identifier (WMI), origin, make, model, trim and style, model year, manufacturer. Every response is JSON from `https://api.auto.dev/vin/{vin}`.

### How much does the Global VIN Decode API cost?

Global VIN Decode is included on the Free plan, which has 1,000 API calls a month and no card required. On paid plans it costs $0.0025 per call on Growth and $0.0015 per call on Scale, on top of the plan's subscription.

### How do I call the Global VIN Decode API?

Send `GET /vin/{vin}` to `api.auto.dev` with your API key as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header, or as an `apiKey` query parameter. The path takes `vin`, the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (letters and digits, excluding I, O, and Q).

### What are the rate limits for Global VIN Decode?

Rate limits follow your plan: 5 requests per second on Free, 10 on Growth and 50 on Scale.

### Can AI agents use the Global VIN Decode API?

Yes. Connect the hosted MCP server, `https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`, and agents such as Claude Code and Cursor call it as the `auto_decode` tool, signing in with OAuth instead of an API key. Or run it locally: `npm install -g @auto.dev/sdk`, then `auto login` and `auto mcp install`.

## Related APIs

- [Plate-to-VIN](https://www.auto.dev/plate-to-vin.md): Decode US license plates to get VIN, year, make, model, and more.
- [Specifications](https://www.auto.dev/specifications.md): Detailed technical specifications, features, and options for any vehicle model.
- [OEM Build Data](https://www.auto.dev/oem-build-data.md): Original equipment manufacturer build data and production information.

## References

- Docs: https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/vin-decode
- OpenAPI: https://www.auto.dev/openapi.json (JSON), https://www.auto.dev/openapi.yaml (YAML)
- llms.txt: https://www.auto.dev/llms.txt
- Pricing: https://www.auto.dev/pricing
- Sign up: https://www.auto.dev/signin?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding