# Auto.dev

> Automotive data APIs for developers and AI agents: VIN decoding, specifications, OEM build data, retail listings, photos, recalls, interest rates, payments, taxes and fees, and total cost of ownership. Every endpoint takes a VIN (Plate-to-VIN takes a US license plate) and returns JSON; some also need query parameters, listed with each product below.

The REST API lives at https://api.auto.dev. One npm package, `@auto.dev/sdk`, adds an MCP server, a CLI and a JavaScript SDK on top of it. Reference docs are at https://docs.auto.dev. Every page on https://www.auto.dev also has a Markdown version at the same path plus `.md` (the home page is https://www.auto.dev/index.md).

## When to use Auto.dev

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

## Connect it as tools (MCP)

Hosted server (recommended): https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp, named `auto-dev`. Sign-in is OAuth on first use, so agents need no API key, and there is nothing to install.

- 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: use the local server below; `auto mcp install` sets it up.
- 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.
- 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 run the server locally:

1. `npm install -g @auto.dev/sdk`: The CLI, the MCP server and the SDK, in one package.
2. `auto login`: OAuth in the browser. Agents never handle an API key.
3. `auto mcp install`: Sets up Claude Code, Claude Desktop and Cursor. Other clients use the hosted server.

The local server command is `auto --mcp` (named `auto-dev`). Either way it exposes every API as a tool (12, one per API), including `auto_decode`, `auto_listings`, `auto_recalls`, `auto_payments`, `auto_photos`, `auto_docs`; `auto_docs` searches the bundled API docs. The hosted server also has `search` and `fetch` tools.

- Agent skill: `npx skills add drivly/auto-dev-skill`
- Guide: https://www.auto.dev/agents (Markdown: https://www.auto.dev/agents.md)

## Call it over HTTPS

- Base URL: https://api.auto.dev
- Auth: `Authorization: Bearer <key>` (recommended), the `?apiKey=<key>` query parameter, or the `X-API-Key` header. Create a key at https://www.auto.dev/dashboard.
- Rate limits: 5 requests per second on Free, 10 on Growth, 50 on Scale. On HTTP 429, back off and retry.
- Plans: Free includes 1,000 calls a month and stops at the limit (no card, no overage). Growth ($299 a month, or $249 a month billed yearly) and Scale ($599 a month, or $499 a month billed yearly) add endpoints and bill each call at its per-call rate. On yearly billing the plan is charged once a year and calls are still billed monthly. Enterprise is custom, through sales on the pricing page. Details: https://www.auto.dev/pricing.md

## API

- [OpenAPI spec (JSON)](https://www.auto.dev/openapi.json): every endpoint, parameter and response, 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

### Core: Identify the vehicle

- [Global VIN Decode](https://www.auto.dev/vin.md): Decode any VIN to access comprehensive vehicle data and specifications. `GET https://api.auto.dev/vin/{vin}`. Included on Free, then $0.0025 per call on Growth.
- [Plate-to-VIN](https://www.auto.dev/plate-to-vin.md): Decode US license plates to get VIN, year, make, model, and more. `GET https://api.auto.dev/plate/{state}/{plate}`. $0.055 per call on Scale.
- [Specifications](https://www.auto.dev/specifications.md): Detailed technical specifications, features, and options for any vehicle model. `GET https://api.auto.dev/specs/{vin}`. $0.0015 per call on Growth.
- [OEM Build Data](https://www.auto.dev/oem-build-data.md): Original equipment manufacturer build data and production information. `GET https://api.auto.dev/build/{vin}`. $0.10 per call on Growth.

### Marketplace: Find it for sale

- [Vehicle Listings](https://www.auto.dev/listings.md): Access millions of active vehicle listings with real-time pricing and availability. `GET https://api.auto.dev/listings/{vin}`. Included on Free, then $0.0015 per call on Growth.
- [Vehicle Photos](https://www.auto.dev/vehicle-photos.md): High-quality vehicle images and photo galleries for listings and inventory. `GET https://api.auto.dev/photos/{vin}`. Included on Free, then $0.0009 per call on Growth.

### Financial: Price and finance it

- [Interest Rates](https://www.auto.dev/interest-rates.md): Real-time automotive financing rates and lending information. `GET https://api.auto.dev/apr/{vin}` (required query parameters: `year`, `make`, `model`, `zip`, `creditScore`). $0.005 per call on Growth.
- [Vehicle Payments](https://www.auto.dev/vehicle-payments.md): Calculate monthly payments, financing options, and payment estimates. `GET https://api.auto.dev/payments/{vin}` (required query parameters: `price`, `zip`). $0.005 per call on Growth.
- [Taxes & Fees](https://www.auto.dev/taxes-fees.md): Registration fees, taxes, and location-specific vehicle costs. `GET https://api.auto.dev/taxes/{vin}`. $0.005 per call on Scale.
- [Total Cost of Ownership](https://www.auto.dev/total-cost-ownership.md): Comprehensive ownership costs including depreciation, maintenance, and operating expenses. `GET https://api.auto.dev/tco/{vin}`. $0.06 per call on Growth.

### Safety: Check it is safe

- [Vehicle Recalls](https://www.auto.dev/vehicle-recalls.md): Safety recalls, service bulletins, and manufacturer notifications. `GET https://api.auto.dev/recalls/{vin}`. $0.01 per call on Growth.
- [Open Recalls](https://www.auto.dev/open-recalls.md): Active and unresolved vehicle recall information from NHTSA. `GET https://api.auto.dev/openrecalls/{vin}`. $0.06 per call on Scale.

## Optional

- [Everything in one file](https://www.auto.dev/llms-full.txt): every page above in full Markdown.
- [Pricing](https://www.auto.dev/pricing.md): plans and per-call rates.
- [Blog](https://www.auto.dev/blog.md): guides and product updates.
- [How to Decode a List of VINs in Google Sheets](https://www.auto.dev/blog/decode-vins-in-google-sheets.md): A copy-paste Apps Script that turns a column of VINs into year, make, model and trim, with a menu for long lists. Plus what it costs and Google's limits.
- [NHTSA's VIN Decoder (vPIC): What It Returns and Where It Stops](https://www.auto.dev/blog/nhtsa-vin-decoder-vpic.md): What NHTSA's vPIC API returned for real VINs, the quirks to plan for, and why no VIN decoder can tell you a car's options or color.
- [How to Research a Used Car With Claude](https://www.auto.dev/blog/research-a-used-car-with-claude.md): Connect Claude to live dealer listings and VIN data, then ask it to compare cars, check recalls and write your Marketplace listing. No code needed.
- [Automotive Data for AI Agents](https://www.auto.dev/blog/automotive-data-for-ai-agents.md): Give any AI agent access to Auto.dev automotive data through the hosted MCP server, the CLI, the SDK or the agent skill: search listings, decode VINs, calculate payments and check recalls in plain English.
- [Clickable Links: Exploring Auto.dev APIs In The Browser](https://www.auto.dev/blog/clickable-links.md): How the links inside Auto.dev API responses let you explore new endpoints, click around and see results faster, right in your browser.
- [What is a Squish VIN?](https://www.auto.dev/blog/what-is-a-squish-vin.md): What a Squish VIN is, how it's formed from a 17-character VIN, how it differs from the first-10 VIN insurers use, and how to search listings by one.
- [What is a Vehicle Identification Number?](https://www.auto.dev/blog/what-is-a-vin.md): Learn what a VIN is, why it matters, how to locate it, and how to decode it using the Auto.dev VIN Decode API.
- [Terms of Service](https://www.auto.dev/terms.md)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.auto.dev/privacy.md)