API Documentation

Complete reference for the Vehicle Finder API. All endpoints are under https://api.vehicle-finder.com/v1

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Authentication

Pass your API key in the X-API-Key header with every request.

curl -H "X-API-Key: vda_your_key_here" \
  https://api.vehicle-finder.com/v1/makes

Rate Limits

Rate limits are per-minute and per-month based on your plan. Check the response headers:

  • X-RateLimit-Limit — Requests per minute
  • X-RateLimit-Remaining — Remaining this minute
  • X-Monthly-Limit — Monthly quota
  • X-Monthly-Remaining — Remaining this month

Exceeding limits returns 429 Too Many Requests.

Vehicles

GET
/v1/makes

List all vehicle makes

GET
/v1/makes/{make}/models?year=

List models for a make (optional year filter)

GET
/v1/vehicles?year=&make=&model=

Look up a vehicle by year, make, and model

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}

Get a vehicle by ID

GET
/v1/vin/{vin}(no auth required)

Decode a 17-character VIN (no auth required)

Oil Change

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/oil-change

Oil specs, filters, and drain bolt info

// Response
{
  "data": {
    "oil_specs": [{
      "viscosity": "0W-20",
      "oil_type": "Full Synthetic",
      "capacity_with_filter": "5.0",
      "capacity_without_filter": "4.6"
    }],
    "filters": [{ "brand": "Toyota", "part_number": "04152-YZZA1" }],
    "drain_bolt": { "socket_size_mm": "14", "torque_nm": "25" }
  }
}

Fluids

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/fluids

Transmission, brake, coolant, power steering, differential, and transfer case fluid specs

// Response
{
  "data": {
    "vehicle_id": 1,
    "year": 2024, "make": "Toyota", "model": "Camry",
    "transmission_fluid": { "fluid_type": "ATF WS", "capacity_quarts": 3.7 },
    "brake_fluid": { "dot_type": "DOT 3" },
    "coolant": { "coolant_type": "Long Life", "color": "Pink", "capacity_quarts": 6.4 },
    "power_steering_fluid": { "fluid_type": "ATF Dexron III" },
    "differential_fluids": [{ "position": "rear", "fluid_type": "75W-90" }],
    "transfer_case_fluid": null
  }
}

Parts

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/parts

Spark plugs, air filters, cabin filters, brake pads/rotors, wiper blades, battery, and tire specs

// Response
{
  "data": {
    "vehicle_id": 1,
    "spark_plug_spec": { "plug_type": "Iridium", "gap": "0.044", "quantity": 4 },
    "battery_spec": { "group_size": "35", "cca": 550 },
    "tire_spec": { "size": "215/55R17", "pressure_front_psi": 35, "pressure_rear_psi": 35 },
    "spark_plugs": [{ "brand": "NGK", "part_number": "ILKAR7B11", "is_oem": true }],
    "air_filters": [{ "brand": "Toyota", "part_number": "17801-YZZ02", "is_oem": true }],
    "brake_pads": [{ "brand": "Akebono", "part_number": "ACT1293", "position": "front" }],
    "wiper_blades": [{ "brand": "Bosch", "part_number": "26A", "position": "driver", "size_inches": 26 }],
    "batteries": [{ "brand": "Interstate", "part_number": "MTZ-35", "is_oem": false }]
  }
}

Maintenance

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/maintenance?mileage=

Maintenance schedule (optional mileage filter)

Recalls

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

Diagnostics

GET
/v1/diagnostics/{dtc_code}

Look up a DTC code (e.g., P0301)

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/diagnostics/{code}

Vehicle-specific diagnostic with repair costs (Pro)

Technical Service Bulletins

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/tsb

Technical Service Bulletins (Pro)

Consumer Complaints

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/complaints?component=&limit=&offset=

NHTSA consumer complaints with crash, fire, and injury data (Pro)

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/common-problems

Top reported problems aggregated by component (Pro)

// Common Problems Response
{
  "data": [
    {
      "component": "ENGINE",
      "complaint_count": 47,
      "crash_count": 2,
      "fire_count": 1,
      "injury_count": 3,
      "death_count": 0,
      "sample_description": "Engine stalls intermittently while driving..."
    }
  ]
}

Torque Specs

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/torque-specs

Lug nut, drain bolt, and spark plug torque specifications

// Response
{
  "data": [
    { "component": "lug_nut", "torque_ft_lbs": 76, "torque_nm": 103.0, "notes": "Alloy wheels" },
    { "component": "drain_bolt", "torque_ft_lbs": 30, "torque_nm": 40.7, "notes": "Use new crush washer" },
    { "component": "spark_plug", "torque_ft_lbs": 18, "torque_nm": 24.4, "notes": "14mm thread, aluminum head" }
  ]
}

Towing & Payload

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/towing

Towing capacity, payload, curb weight, GVWR, and hitch class (trucks/SUVs)

// Response (2024 Ford F-150)
{
  "data": {
    "max_towing_lbs": 13000,
    "max_payload_lbs": 3325,
    "curb_weight_lbs": 4069,
    "gvwr_lbs": 7050,
    "tongue_weight_lbs": 1300,
    "hitch_class": "IV"
  }
}

Service Cost Estimates

GET
/v1/vehicles/{id}/service-costs?region=&service_type=

Estimated repair costs by region with parts and labor breakdowns (Pro)

Regions: national, northeast, southeast, midwest, southwest, west

// Response
{
  "data": [
    {
      "service_type": "oil_change_synthetic",
      "region": "west",
      "cost_low": 90,
      "cost_high": 190,
      "cost_average": 140,
      "labor_hours_low": 0.3,
      "labor_hours_high": 0.5,
      "parts_cost_low": 50,
      "parts_cost_high": 120
    }
  ]
}

Code Examples

Python

import requests

headers = {"X-API-Key": "vda_your_key_here"}
r = requests.get(
    "https://api.vehicle-finder.com/v1/vehicles",
    params={"year": 2024, "make": "Toyota", "model": "Camry"},
    headers=headers,
)
vehicle = r.json()["data"]

JavaScript

const res = await fetch(
  "https://api.vehicle-finder.com/v1/vehicles?year=2024&make=Toyota&model=Camry",
  { headers: { "X-API-Key": "vda_your_key_here" } }
);
const { data } = await res.json();