--- title: US VIN Decoder slug: us-apis/us-vin-decoder docTags: createdAt: 2024-12-03T17:12:01.849Z --- # Overview The US VIN Decoder API enables businesses to validate and retrieve detailed vehicle information using a **17 character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)** and the **model year**. The API leverages vehicle information provided by the **National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)**, a U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety and related regulatory information. It provides structured vehicle data to help businesses validate vehicle identity, specifications, manufacturing information, safety features, and other vehicle attributes. # Usecases ### 1. Vehicle Verification Validate vehicle details using the VIN and model year to ensure the information provided matches available government records. ### 2. Insurance & Risk Assessment Access vehicle specifications, manufacturing details, and safety information to support insurance underwriting and vehicle risk assessment. ### 3. Vehicle Purchase & Resale Verify key vehicle attributes such as make, model, year, body type, and manufacturer information during vehicle purchase, resale, or marketplace transactions. ### 4. Regulatory & Compliance Checks Use government-sourced vehicle information to support regulatory checks, compliance processes, audits, and vehicle-related due diligence. # API Details ### Sample cURL ::::Tabs :::Tab{title="Pre-Production"} ```curl curl --location 'https://api-preproduction.signzy.us/api/v3/us/vin-decoder' \ --header 'Authorization: ' \ --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \ --data-raw '{ "vinNumber": "7SAYGDEE2RA256438", "modelYear": "2025" }' ``` ::: :::Tab{title="Production"} ```curl curl --location 'https://api.signzy.us/api/v3/us/vin-decoder' \ --header 'Authorization: ' \ --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \ --data-raw '{ "vinNumber": "7SAYGDEE2RA256438", "modelYear": "2025" }' ``` ::: :::: ### Request Body Parameters | Key | Type | Mandatory | Description | | --------- | ------ | --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | vinNumber | string | true | The 17-character Vehicle Identification Number to be decoded.
Must be exactly 17 characters.
Alphanumeric characters only (A–Z, 0–9).
No spaces, hyphens or special characters.
Value is trimmed and converted to uppercase automatically, so lowercase input is accepted. | | modelYear | string | true | The model year of the vehicle, passed as a string.
Must be exactly 4 digits.
Digits only (e.g. "2019").
Must be greater than 1980. | ### Sample Response :::CodeblockTabs Response 200 ```json { "result": { "vehicleInfo": { "manufacturer": "TESLA, INC.", "DBAs": "Tesla, Inc.", "vehicleType": "MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)", "modelYear": "2024", "make": "TESLA", "model": "Model Y", "bodyClass": "Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]" }, "technicalSpecifications": { "series": "", "trim": "", "grossVehicleWeightRating": "Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)", "driveType": "", "cylinders": "", "primaryFuelType": "Electric", "electrificationLevel": "BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)", "secondaryFuelType": "", "engineModel": "", "engineBrakeHP": "", "engineManufacturer": "", "engineDisplacementL": "", "transmissionSpeed": "1", "transmissionStyle": "Automatic" }, "airbags": { "front": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)", "knee": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)", "side": "1st and 2nd Rows", "curtain": "", "seatCushion": "", "otherRestraintInfo": "Type 2 Manual Seatbelts (FR, SR*3) / PODS" }, "plantInformation": { "location": "AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (USA)" }, "additionalInfo": { "notes": "Information provided below is based on the details provided by the manufacturer of this vehicle to NHTSA in the part 565 submittal", "allVehicleDetails": "https://persist.signzy.tech/api/files/2085004137/download/17f606607b1e413d992a62ede3046ec1828ccf0d1e8b4e3099b09d8090a74c89.xls", "imageUrl": "https://persist.signzy.tech/api/files/2085004126/download/ffc6e6991865430a97797bd44768421a2903b5ee7cb84896ba0ba045f1d22778.png" } } } ``` ::: ### Response Body Parameters | Key | Type | Description | | ------------------------------------------------ | ------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | result | object | The container object holding the decoded vehicle details. | | **vehicleInfo** | object | Core identification details of the vehicle. | | vehicleInfo.manufacturer | string | Full legal name of the manufacturing company (e.g. TESLA, INC.). | | vehicleInfo.DBAs | string | "Doing Business As" name — the trade name under which the manufacturer operates. | | vehicleInfo.vehicleType | string | Broad vehicle category.
Possible values include\:PASSENGER CAR, TRUCK, MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV), BUS, MOTORCYCLE, TRAILER | | vehicleInfo.modelYear | string | Model year of the vehicle as decoded from the VIN. | | vehicleInfo.make | string | Manufacturer brand of the vehicle (e.g. TESLA, FORD). | | vehicleInfo.model | string | Model name of the vehicle. | | vehicleInfo.bodyClass | string | Body style of the vehicle (e.g. Sedan/Saloon, Pickup, Sport Utility Vehicle \[SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle \[MPV]). | | **technicalSpecifications** | object | Mechanical and powertrain specifications of the vehicle. | | technicalSpecifications.series | string | Series the vehicle belongs to. | | technicalSpecifications.trim | string | Trim level of the vehicle. | | technicalSpecifications.grossVehicleWeightRating | string | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) class, including the weight range in lb and kg. | | technicalSpecifications.driveType | string | Drivetrain configuration (e.g. FWD/Front-Wheel Drive, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, AWD/All-Wheel Drive). | | technicalSpecifications.cylinders | string | Number of engine cylinders. Empty for electric vehicles. | | technicalSpecifications.primaryFuelType | string | Primary fuel type of the vehicle (e.g. Gasoline, Diesel, Electric). | | technicalSpecifications.electrificationLevel | string | Degree of electrification of the powertrain (e.g. BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), HEV, PHEV). Empty for conventional vehicles. | | technicalSpecifications.secondaryFuelType | string | Secondary fuel type, where the vehicle supports one. | | technicalSpecifications.engineModel | string | Manufacturer's engine model designation. | | technicalSpecifications.engineBrakeHP | string | Engine brake horsepower. | | technicalSpecifications.engineManufacturer | string | Name of the engine manufacturer. | | technicalSpecifications.engineDisplacementL | string | Engine displacement in litres. Empty for electric vehicles. | | technicalSpecifications.transmissionSpeed | string | Number of forward gears in the transmission. | | technicalSpecifications.transmissionStyle | string | Transmission type (e.g. Automatic, Manual). | | **airbags** | object | Airbag and occupant restraint configuration reported by the manufacturer. | | airbags.front | string | Seating rows fitted with front airbags (e.g. 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)). | | airbags.knee | string | Seating rows fitted with knee airbags. | | airbags.side | string | Seating rows fitted with side airbags (e.g. 1st and 2nd Rows). | | airbags.curtain | string | Seating rows fitted with curtain airbags. | | airbags.seatCushion | string | Seating rows fitted with seat-cushion airbags. | | airbags.otherRestraintInfo | string | Any additional occupant restraint details reported by the manufacturer (e.g. seatbelt type, PODS). | | **plantInformation** | object | Details of the plant where the vehicle was manufactured. | | plantInformation.location | string | Full manufacturing plant location, as city, state and country (e.g. AUSTIN, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (USA)). | | **additionalInfo** | object | Supplementary information and downloadable assets for the decoded vehicle. | | additionalInfo.notes | string | Source note describing the origin of the decoded data — the manufacturer's Part 565 submittal to NHTSA. | | additionalInfo.allVehicleDetails | string | Direct download URL to an .xls file containing the complete set of decoded attributes for the VIN, beyond the fields summarised in this response. A new file is generated per request. | | additionalInfo.imageUrl | string | Direct download URL to a .png image of the decoded vehicle. A new file is generated p | ### Sample Error :::CodeblockTabs Invalid Input 400 ```json { "error": { "name": "error", "message": "Invalid Input", "status": 400, "reason": "VALIDATION_ERROR", "type": "Bad Request", "statusCode": 400 } } ``` Missing or Malformed Field 400 ```json { "error": { "name": "error", "message": "\"vinNumber\" is required", "status": 400, "reason": "VALIDATION_ERROR", "type": "Bad Request", "statusCode": "400" } } ``` Upstream Failure 409 ```json { "error": { "name": "error", "message": "Upstream down", "status": 409, "reason": "ERROR", "type": "Conflict", "statusCode": 409 } } ``` Internal Server Error 500 ```json { "error": { "name": "error", "message": "Internal Server Error", "status": 500, "reason": "ERROR", "type": "Conflict", "statusCode": 500 } } ``` ::: ### Error Response Parameters | **Parameter** | **Description** | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------- | | error | This parameter contains the error. | | error.name | the error name. | | error.message | the error message. | | error.status | Status of the api | | error.reason | Reason for error | | error.type | Type of the error | | error.statusCode | Request Status code from Signzy | :::hint{type="info"} ### Getting help Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, require clarification, or have ideas for how to make the documents or any of our services better. You can reach out to us at [help@signzy.com](#). We strive to provide prompt and reliable assistance, ensuring your queries are addressed effectively. We value your feedback and are committed to making your experience smooth and enjoyable. Our team is dedicated to assisting you with any needs you may have. Thank you for choosing our services. We look forward to helping you! :::