How to use NHTSA vPIC API — a practical guide
If you're here, you probably want working code in five minutes. That's exactly what this guide does.
Five steps to get started
- 1Call /vehicles/DecodeVin/<VIN>?format=json.
- 2Returns a list of fields — manufacturer, model, year, engine etc.
- 3Without a VIN, use /vehicles/GetModelsForMake.
Shortest snippet that will actually run
curl "https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/vehicles/DecodeVin/1HGCM82633A123456?format=json"Common mistakes (the honest list)
Use Object.fromEntries to flatten Results into a dict.
For Israeli cars, combine with data.gov.il to get local registration details.