One API key for specs, VIN decoding, crash test data and NHTSA recalls. REST API + native MCP server — one bearer token, zero custom wrappers.
Carstat ships a production-ready Model Context Protocol server alongside the REST API. Point VSCode, Cursor, Windsurf, or any MCP-compatible client at your token and it instantly gains 11 structured tools.
search_vehicles
Search & rank vehicles by metric
get_recalls
NHTSA recall data
search_recalls
Search recalls by make + keyword
get_safety_ratings
NHTSA safety ratings by vehicle
+ 7 more tools available
{ "servers": { "carstat-api": { "url": "https://api.carstat.app/mcp", "type": "http", "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer <your-token>" } } } } // That's it. Your agent now has: // · 250+ engineering spec fields // · VIN → exact spec candidates // · NHTSA recall lookups // · NHTSA crash test data // · Global make/model/trim browse
A car data API should go deeper than basic VIN results. Carstat API is built around engineering-grade specs, EV detail, and published global coverage.
Give any LLM live factory-spec data via MCP. No prompt engineering needed — just structured tools your agent can call directly.
decode_vin("WBA3A5C58DF285669")
get_recalls(2022, "Ford", "Bronco Sport")
Build vehicle configurators, comparison tools, and spec sheets with engineering-grade accuracy. Drill-down to exact trim-level data.
GET /v1/specs/makes/:year
GET /v1/specs/:year/:make/:model/:engine
Verify what's actually in a vehicle. Cross-reference VINs against factory specs, decode trim differences, and flag open safety recalls automatically.
GET /v1/specs/vin/:vin
GET /v1/recalls/:year/:make/:model
Build buyer-safety dashboards or compliance workflows using NHTSA 5-star crash test ratings. Surface frontal, side, pole, and rollover scores across 80+ test metrics — down to the trim level.
GET /v1/safety-ratings/:year/:make
GET /v1/safety-ratings/:year/:make/:model
Enrich every listing with recall status and crash test scores. Let buyers instantly see whether a vehicle has open NHTSA campaigns or how it performed in safety tests — no extra research required.
GET /v1/recalls/:year/:make/:model
GET /v1/safety-ratings/:year/:make/:model
Integrate NHTSA recall data into your product or support workflows. Query by make/model/year, parse defect descriptions, and trigger automated alerts before customers are affected.
GET /v1/recalls/:year/:make
GET /v1/recalls/:year/:make/:model
250+ engineering spec fields per configuration — dimensions, drivetrain, EV systems, charging, and more.
Explore specsNHTSA 5-star crash test data — overall, frontal, side, pole, and rollover ratings with 80+ test metrics.
Explore ratingsNHTSA recall campaigns — defect descriptions, consequences, corrective actions, and severity flags.
Explore recallsEvery configuration returns 250+ fields covering dimensions, drivetrain, EV systems, charging connectors, suspension, towing, and more.
Every dataset follows the same browsable flow. Start with available years, drill into makes, then pick a model — works the same whether you're after specs, recalls, or safety ratings.
GET /v1/specs/years
List available years
GET /v1/specs/makes/:year
Makes for a year
GET /v1/specs/models/:year/:make
Models for year + make
GET /v1/specs/:modification_id
Full 250+ field spec sheet
GET /v1/recalls/years
List available years
GET /v1/recalls/makes/:year
Makes for a year
GET /v1/recalls/models/:year/:make
Models for year + make
GET /v1/recalls/:year/:make/:model
All NHTSA recall campaigns
GET /v1/safety-ratings/years
List available years
GET /v1/safety-ratings/makes/:year
Makes for a year
GET /v1/safety-ratings/models/:year/:make
Models for year + make
GET /v1/safety-ratings/:year/:make/:model
NHTSA crash test data
Free trial available. Access specs, VIN decoding, and recalls from day one. Upgrade when you're ready to ship.
Carstat API provides production-grade vehicle specification data, VIN decoding, and NHTSA recall lookups via REST API and a native MCP server. One bearer token gives you access to global make/model/trim data, 250+ engineering spec fields per vehicle, and NHTSA recall data.
Yes. The VIN decoder API accepts any 17-character VIN and returns matching vehicle specifications including
year, make, model, engine configuration, and a modification_id you can use to fetch the full 250+
field spec sheet.
Yes. Carstat API proxies NHTSA recall data via /v1/recalls/:year/:make/:model. Results
include recall campaign numbers, component descriptions, defect summaries, and remedies — sourced from the
NHTSA database.
MCP is an open standard by Anthropic that lets AI agents discover and call structured tools. Carstat ships a native MCP server, so AI assistants like VSCode, Cursor, Windsurf, and ChatGPT can query vehicle data without any custom integration code.
Yes. Carstat API has a free trial. You get immediate API access to integrate and test all the features before committing to a paid plan.
Any language that can make HTTP requests — Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Ruby, Go, Java, PHP, and more. Authentication is a standard Bearer token. Interactive API docs with code examples are available.
Carstat API covers thousands of makes, models, and engine configurations spanning multiple decades of global vehicle production, with 250+ engineering specification fields per variant.