VIN Decoder API

VIN Decoder turns a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number into the vehicle it identifies. Returns make, model, year, trim, body class and manufacturer, plus engine specifications, plant of manufacture, and the safety equipment fitted to that specific build. Optionally adds every safety recall issued for that vehicle and its NHTSA 5-star crash-test rating.

This is a Python wrapper for the VIN Decoder API

Installation

Using pip:

pip install apiverve-vindecoder

Using pip3:

pip3 install apiverve-vindecoder

Configuration

Before using the VIN Decoder API client, you have to setup your account and obtain your API Key. You can get it by signing up at https://apiverve.com

Quick Start

Here's a simple example to get you started quickly:

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient

# Initialize the client with your APIVerve API key
api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]")

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

try:
    # Make the API call
    result = api.execute(query)

    # Print the result
    print(result)
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")

Usage

The VIN Decoder API documentation is found here: https://docs.apiverve.com/ref/vindecoder. You can find parameters, example responses, and status codes documented here.

Setup

# Import the client module
from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient

# Initialize the client with your APIVerve API key
api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]")

Perform Request

Using the API client, you can perform requests to the API.

Define Query

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

Simple Request

# Make a request to the API
result = api.execute(query)

# Print the result
print(result)

Example Response

{
  "status": "ok",
  "error": null,
  "data": {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "valid": true,
    "decoded": true,
    "vehicleDescriptor": "1HGCM826*3A",
    "make": "HONDA",
    "model": "Accord",
    "year": 2003,
    "trim": "EX-V6",
    "trim2": null,
    "series": null,
    "series2": null,
    "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.",
    "vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR",
    "bodyClass": "Coupe",
    "plant": {
      "state": "OHIO",
      "country": "UNITED STATES (USA)",
      "city": "MARYSVILLE"
    },
    "engine": {
      "displacementL": "2.998832712",
      "displacementCc": "2998.832712",
      "engineNumberOfCylinders": "6",
      "engineModel": "J30A4",
      "engineConfiguration": "V-Shaped",
      "engineBrakeHpFrom": "240",
      "displacementCi": "183",
      "fuelTypePrimary": "Gasoline",
      "valveTrainDesign": "Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)"
    },
    "features": {
      "passiveSafetySystem": {
        "otherRestraintSystemInfo": "Seat Belt (Rr center position)",
        "seatBeltType": "Manual",
        "sideAirBagLocations": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)",
        "curtainAirBagLocations": "1st and 2nd Rows",
        "frontAirBagLocations": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)"
      },
      "exterior": {
        "grossVehicleWeightRatingFrom": "Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)",
        "grossVehicleWeightRatingTo": "Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)",
        "doors": "2"
      },
      "mechanical": {
        "transmissionStyle": "Automatic",
        "transmissionSpeeds": "5"
      }
    },
    "validation": {
      "errorText": "0 - VIN decoded clean. Check Digit (9th position) is correct",
      "errorCode": "0",
      "errorCodes": [
        "0"
      ]
    },
    "recalls": {
      "count": 13,
      "doNotDrive": false,
      "parkOutside": false,
      "bySeverity": {
        "critical": 0,
        "high": 10,
        "medium": 3,
        "low": 0
      },
      "latestReportedOn": "2019-06-27",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "19V499000",
          "manufacturerRecallId": "Q5A, Y58",
          "manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
          "reportedOn": "2019-06-27",
          "ownersNotifiedOn": "2019-08-12",
          "initiatedBy": "nhtsa",
          "components": [
            {
              "system": "Air Bags",
              "detail": "Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module"
            }
          ],
          "summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.",
          "consequence": "An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.",
          "hazards": [
            "injury",
            "death"
          ],
          "doNotDrive": false,
          "parkOutside": false,
          "remedy": {
            "description": "Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.",
            "status": "available",
            "overTheAir": false,
            "freeOfCharge": true
          },
          "unitsAffected": 3947,
          "manufactured": {
            "from": "2000-07-10",
            "to": "2011-02-22"
          },
          "scope": {
            "makes": 2,
            "models": 12,
            "modelYears": {
              "from": 2001,
              "to": 2011
            }
          },
          "url": "https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V499000",
          "severity": "high",
          "match": "exact",
          "listedAs": "ACCORD"
        },
        {
          "id": "19V501000",
          "manufacturerRecallId": "E5D, X5C",
          "manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
          "reportedOn": "2019-06-27",
          "ownersNotifiedOn": "2019-08-12",
          "initiatedBy": "nhtsa",
          "components": [
            {
              "system": "Air Bags",
              "detail": "Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module"
            }
          ],
          "summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.",
          "consequence": "An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.",
          "hazards": [
            "injury",
            "death"
          ],
          "doNotDrive": false,
          "parkOutside": false,
          "remedy": {
            "description": "Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.",
            "status": "available",
            "overTheAir": false,
            "freeOfCharge": true
          },
          "unitsAffected": 1657752,
          "manufactured": {
            "from": "2000-04-25",
            "to": "2014-06-02"
          },
          "scope": {
            "makes": 2,
            "models": 12,
            "modelYears": {
              "from": 2001,
              "to": 2014
            }
          },
          "url": "https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V501000",
          "severity": "high",
          "match": "exact",
          "listedAs": "ACCORD"
        }
      ]
    },
    "safetyRating": {
      "testedVehicle": "2003 Honda Accord 2-DR. w/SAB",
      "match": "exact",
      "variantsTested": 4,
      "overall": null,
      "frontal": {
        "overall": null,
        "driver": 5,
        "passenger": 5
      },
      "side": {
        "overall": null,
        "driver": null,
        "passenger": null,
        "barrier": null,
        "pole": null,
        "frontSeat": null,
        "rearSeat": null
      },
      "rollover": {
        "rating": 4,
        "riskPercent": null,
        "tipped": null
      },
      "driverAssist": {
        "electronicStabilityControl": "notAvailable",
        "forwardCollisionWarning": "notAvailable",
        "laneDepartureWarning": "notAvailable"
      }
    }
  }
}

Error Handling

The API client provides comprehensive error handling through the VindecoderAPIClientError exception. Here are some examples:

Basic Error Handling

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient, VindecoderAPIClientError

api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]")

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

try:
    result = api.execute(query)
    print("Success!")
    print(result)
except VindecoderAPIClientError as e:
    print(f"API Error: {e.message}")
    if e.status_code:
        print(f"Status Code: {e.status_code}")
    if e.response:
        print(f"Response: {e.response}")

Handling Specific Error Types

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient, VindecoderAPIClientError

api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]")

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

try:
    result = api.execute(query)

    # Check for successful response
    if result.get('status') == 'success':
        print("Request successful!")
        print(result.get('data'))
    else:
        print(f"API returned an error: {result.get('error')}")

except VindecoderAPIClientError as e:
    # Handle API client errors
    if e.status_code == 401:
        print("Unauthorized: Invalid API key")
    elif e.status_code == 429:
        print("Rate limit exceeded")
    elif e.status_code >= 500:
        print("Server error - please try again later")
    else:
        print(f"API error: {e.message}")
except Exception as e:
    # Handle unexpected errors
    print(f"Unexpected error: {str(e)}")

Using Context Manager (Recommended)

The client supports the context manager protocol for automatic resource cleanup:

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient, VindecoderAPIClientError

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

# Using context manager ensures proper cleanup
with VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]") as api:
    try:
        result = api.execute(query)
        print(result)
    except VindecoderAPIClientError as e:
        print(f"Error: {e.message}")
# Session is automatically closed here

Advanced Features

Debug Mode

Enable debug logging to see detailed request and response information:

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient

# Enable debug mode
api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]", debug=True)

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

# Debug information will be printed to console
result = api.execute(query)

Manual Session Management

If you need to manually manage the session lifecycle:

from apiverve_vindecoder.apiClient import VindecoderAPIClient

api = VindecoderAPIClient("[YOUR_API_KEY]")

query = {
    "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "recalls": true,
    "safetyRating": true
}

try:
    result = api.execute(query)
    print(result)
finally:
    # Manually close the session when done
    api.close()

Customer Support

Need any assistance? Get in touch with Customer Support.

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Legal

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License

Licensed under the MIT License (MIT)

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