# VIN Decoder via NHTSA vPIC

> VIN Decoder via NHTSA vPIC is a paid API for AI agents from agent402.tools, paid per call via x402, $0.004/call, status unknown (last checked 2026-09-15).

Decodes a vehicle VIN using NHTSA vPIC data to return make, model, year, trim, body class, engine, fuel type, plant, and vehicle type.

## Facts

- Endpoint: GET https://agent402.tools/api/vin-decode
- Price: $0.004/call
- Payment: x402
- Status: unknown
- Last checked: 2026-09-15
- Activations on Zero: 0
- Tags: x402
- Canonical page: https://www.zero.xyz/c/vin-decoder-via-nhtsa-vpic-3be70027
- Structured record (JSON): https://api.zero.xyz/v1/capabilities/cap_zYR2WMtQyAad3731-u0i9

Status and success rate cover calls made through Zero and Zero's own probes. Third-party monitors may report differently.

## How to call it through Zero

Zero handles the 402 payment challenge and records the run. With the Zero CLI installed (`npm i -g @zeroxyz/cli`):

```sh
zero fetch --capability vin-decoder-via-nhtsa-vpic-3be70027
```

Example prompt: Can you decode the VIN 1HGCM82633A004352 and tell me the make, model, year, trim, engine, and body type?

## When to prefer this

Use this endpoint when you need to decode any US vehicle VIN into structured specs (make, model, year, engine, etc.) without needing an API key. It is ideal for automotive lookups grounded in authoritative government data. Prefer this over third-party VIN services when accuracy, no-auth access, and official NHTSA sourcing matter.

## Known failure modes

- Invalid or malformed VIN returns an error or empty decode results
- Partial VIN without modelYear may return ambiguous or incomplete results
- NHTSA vPIC API downtime causes upstream failures
- VINs for very old or non-US vehicles may return sparse or missing fields

## How this service works

Decode a vehicle VIN via the US NHTSA vPIC database: make, model, year, trim, body class, engine, fuel type, plant and vehicle type. Accepts full or partial VINs. Use it when an agent holds a VIN and needs the vehicle's official specification - live government data, no key.

## Output

Returns structured vehicle details including make, model, year, trim level, body class, engine specifications, fuel type, manufacturing plant, and vehicle type — sourced live from NHTSA vPIC with no API key required.

## Request schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "object",
 "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
 "required": [
  "input"
 ],
 "properties": {
  "input": {
   "type": "object",
   "required": [
    "type",
    "method"
   ],
   "properties": {
    "type": {
     "type": "string",
     "const": "http"
    },
    "method": {
     "enum": [
      "GET"
     ],
     "type": "string"
    },
    "queryParams": {
     "type": "object",
     "required": [
      "vin"
     ],
     "properties": {
      "vin": {
       "type": "string",
       "description": "17-char VIN (or a partial VIN with * wildcards)"
      },
      "modelYear": {
       "type": "number",
       "description": "Model year - helps decode a partial VIN"
      }
     }
    }
   },
   "additionalProperties": false
  },
  "output": {
   "type": "object",
   "required": [
    "type"
   ],
   "properties": {
    "type": {
     "type": "string"
    },
    "example": {
     "type": "object",
     "required": [
      "vin",
      "vehicle",
      "source"
     ],
     "properties": {
      "vin": {
       "type": "string"
      },
      "source": {
       "type": "string"
      },
      "vehicle": {
       "type": "object",
       "properties": {
        "make": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "trim": {},
        "year": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "model": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "fuelType": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "bodyClass": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "plantCity": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "vehicleType": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "manufacturer": {
         "type": "string"
        },
        "engineCylinders": {
         "type": "string"
        }
       }
      }
     }
    }
   }
  }
 }
}
```

## Response schema (JSON Schema)

```json
{
 "type": "json",
 "example": {
  "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
  "source": "vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov (public domain)",
  "vehicle": {
   "make": "HONDA",
   "trim": null,
   "year": "2003",
   "model": "Accord",
   "fuelType": "Gasoline",
   "bodyClass": "Coupe",
   "plantCity": "MARYSVILLE",
   "vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR",
   "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.",
   "engineCylinders": "6"
  }
 }
}
```

## More

- Live health (JSON, refreshed every minute): https://www.zero.xyz/c/vin-decoder-via-nhtsa-vpic-3be70027/health.json
- [Zero catalog index](https://www.zero.xyz/llms.txt)
- [Other services from agent402.tools](https://www.zero.xyz/host/agent402.tools/llms.txt)