Auto Repair APIs for Maintenance, Pricing & Vehicle Data
Start every job with the right vehicle, the right service schedule, and a price you can stand behind. Vehicle Databases gives repair shops easy access to vehicle specs by VIN, OEM maintenance, open recalls, and parts and labor costs through REST APIs.
Access Repair Data Even Before the Hood is Open
A customer shows up with a check engine light and no clue what’s wrong. From one VIN, your team can discover a ton before a tech even reaches for a wrench.
1. Who is this vehicle?
Scan the VIN sticker with a phone and the VIN OCR API reads it. Run it through the VIN Decoder API and you have the exact year, make, model, trim, engine, and drivetrain, so nobody has to guess which engine is under the hood.
2. Is there already a fix on file?
The Technical Service Bulletins API indicates if the manufacturer has published the problem, including a brief and a link to the original PDF. The Vehicle Recalls API indicates if there's an open safety recall that should be taken care of before you do anything else.
3. What will it cost?
The Repair Pricing API returns average, high, and low costs for parts and labor on common repairs for that vehicle, so the quote starts from real numbers instead of a hunch.
4. Will the manufacturer cover it?
The Vehicle Warranty API returns the warranty terms for that year, make, and model, including basic, powertrain, corrosion, and roadside, so you know before the customer asks.
5. What else is due while the car is here?
The Vehicle Maintenance API lists factory service items by mileage, so your advisor can recommend what is coming up instead of sending the customer away. The owner’s manual for that VIN is one call away through the Owner’s Manual API.
One VIN and one API key turn the conversation at the counter from “we’ll take a look” into “here’s what we already know.”
Calling All Auto Repair Shops! Try Any API for Free
Check VINs, explore vehicle data, and test API responses to find the right information for your shop, all through our platform.
Bad Vehicle Data Slows Every Job Down
A repair order is only as good as the vehicle record behind it. When that record is wrong or incomplete, the cost shows up at the counter, in the bay, and on the invoice.
Wrong parts
A misread trim or engine code sends the wrong part to the bay, and the job is halted.
Guesswork estimates
A quote built from memory is either too low, which cuts your margin, or too high, which loses the customer.
Late discoveries
Open recalls and known manufacturer fixes surface after hours of diagnosis instead of before.
Slow check-in
Typing a 17-character VIN by hand invites mistakes and keeps customers waiting.
Warranty disputes
Billing a customer for a repair the manufacturer covers leads to arguments and refunds.
Easy to Add to Your Shop’s Workflow
If your team can make a web request, it can use these APIs. Send a GET request with a VIN, pass your API key in the x-authkey header, and read the JSON that comes back.
- Code samples in Python, JavaScript, PHP, Java, and C#
- A Postman collection for testing without writing code
- A clear error status and code when a VIN has no record
- Free credits when you sign up
Some APIs take a VIN, some take year, make, and model, and one takes a photo. Here is what each one needs and covers.
| API | You Send | What the API Provides |
|---|---|---|
| VIN Decoder | VIN, or year, make, and model, | Vehicle identity, trim, engine, and specifications |
| Vehicle Maintenance | VIN, or year, make, and model | Recommended service intervals and maintenance tasks |
| Repair Pricing | VIN, or year, make, and model | Estimated parts and labor costs for common repairs |
| Vehicle Recalls | VIN, or year, make, and model | Recall records, dates, and available remedy details |
| Technical Service Bulletins | VIN, or year, make, and model | Manufacturer bulletins about known issues and recommended fixes |
| Vehicle Warranty | Year, make, and model | Warranty types, terms, and coverage periods |
| Owner's Manual | VIN, or year, make, and model | Links to available manufacturer owner's manuals |
| VIN OCR | Photo (PNG, JPG, or JPEG) | Returns the 17-character VIN |
Need something that is not on the list? We build custom APIs and datasets for specific workflows.Talk to us.
Sample: From a VIN to a Service Menu
Here’s what a request and response typically looks like, depending on the API selected.
Response
Sample ResponseJSON · 8 fields- VIN
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Trim
- Service Items
- Miles
- Km
Mileage comes back in both miles and kilometers, and each interval lists its service items. Pair it with the Repair Pricing API to put a price next to every line.
Built For the Way Different Repair Shops Work
Every repair business has its own workflow. Some need quicker check-ins and clearer repair estimates, while others manage fleets or multiple locations. Vehicle Databases helps each type of business access the vehicle information it needs, either directly through the platform or through API integration.
Independent repair shops
Cut check-in time with VIN scanning, then back every estimate with real parts and labor figures instead of a gut feel.
Quick-lube and tire chains
Pull the right service interval for the vehicle in the bay, and price routine work such as oil changes, tire rotation, and mounting and balancing.
Fleet and truck service centers
Check recalls and manufacturer bulletins by VIN for the vehicles you service, and run bulk TSB lookups across a whole fleet.
Multi-location groups
Keep every location working from the same vehicle record and the same service data.
Shop-management and estimating software
Add vehicle lookup, recall alerts, and repair pricing to your product through a REST API that returns JSON.
Auto parts suppliers
Match parts to the right vehicle, find OEM part numbers, and check fitment details before fulfilling orders.
Trusted by Teams Who Build on Vehicle Data
See what automotive businesses and developers have to say about working with Vehicle Databases, from API performance and ease of use to the support they receive along the way.
They have one of the best APIs; it's smooth and works flawlessly. I've never had an issue with them. Their customer support is also top-notch...
Saad Khan
PK
Rated 5 out of 5View Saad's testimonialUsing vehicle databases for our vin decoding for my mobile app . I wish get factory informations on each vehicles without selecting from...
Jamal Ramanou
US
Rated 5 out of 5View Jamal's testimonialThe support is top-notch. I don't think I have ever worked with a company that has ever reached out to me repeatedly to just check on...
Gearshift Solutions
US
Rated 5 out of 5View Gearshift's testimonial
Get in touch
Have more questions?
Send in a query
Book a demo to connect directly with our team and explore how we can best serve your needs.
Get the Vehicle Data Your Repair Shop Needs
Sign up, grab your API key, and run a real vehicle through the whole job: decode it, check recalls and bulletins, pull the service schedule, and price the repair.
FAQs on Auto Repair APIs
What’s the best way to get service schedules?
To get accurate maintenance schedules, provide the Vehicle Maintenance API with the VIN, and receive all the OEM maintenance items, broken down by mileage in both kilometers and miles.
Can I check recalls and service bulletins before I quote a repair?
Yes. Call the Vehicle Recalls API and get all open recalls, including the recall ID, date, part affected and how to remedy it. Do the same with the Technical Service Bulletins API, and you get all of a manufacturer’s bulletins, including a summary, original PDF link and a few other things.
How do I get an estimate on a repair?
The Repair Pricing API provides cost estimates (high, low, and average) for all types of repair parts and labor, as well as the overall estimated cost, for most vehicle types. It includes dealer pricing where it is available and also has repair pricing from independent shops.
Can I check warranty terms?
The Vehicle Warranty API returns the manufacturer’s standard terms for a year, make, and model, including basic, powertrain, corrosion, maintenance, and roadside assistance coverage, shown in months and miles.
Can a technician scan a VIN or plate from a photo?
Yes. Simply snap and upload a photo of a VIN sticker, or a photo of a dashboard, or document to the VIN OCR API, and within moments, receive the VIN in 17 characters. Alternatively, a license plate OCR API takes a photo of a plate, and a license plate API gives you the information about the vehicle.
How do I connect this to my shop-management software?
All APIs are REST endpoints with JSON data. Use your API key in the x-authkey header to authenticate. The docs include samples in Python, Javascript, PHP, Java, C#, and a Postman collection.
Does the VIN decoder API work for trucks and electric vehicles?
Yes, the VIN Decoder API covers all major vehicle types, including cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles. Electric vehicles are supported by the Electric Vehicle Specifications API for battery and range information. Coverage varies by API; see the table above.
Can I try it before I pay?
Yes. Create a free account and receive free credits to make real VIN API calls.