{"uid":"cap_RXf8tu82pt27cnw1QaTWV","slug":"mekler-ai-vin-decoder-3eaf00b3","name":"Mekler AI VIN Decoder","description":"Decode a complete 17-character VIN into source-linked NHTSA manufacturer, model-year and equipment fields. Return source errors, missing fields and independent check-digit evidence. Optional model year helps disambiguate the source. Coverage centers on US-market vehicles; no owner, title, accident-history, condition or valid-vehicle certification.","url":"https://api.mekler.ai/v1/data/vehicles/check-vin?utm_source=zero.xyz","method":"POST","headers":{},"bodySchema":{"type":"object","properties":{"vin":{"type":"string","pattern":"^[A-HJ-NPR-Z0-9]{17}$"},"model_year":{"type":"integer","maximum":2100,"minimum":1981},"request_id":{"type":"string","pattern":"^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{16,64}$"}}},"responseSchema":{"type":"json","example":{"vin":"5UXWX7C5XBA123456","source":"NHTSA vPIC","status":"ok","source_url":"https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/vehicles/DecodeVinValues/5UXWX7C5XBA123456?format=json&modelyear=2011","check_digit":{"matches":false,"expected":"7","observed":"X","north_american_rule_applicable":true},"limitations":["Manufacturer-submitted specifications for vehicles intended for the US market; other markets can have limited coverage.","A decoded field is not evidence of ownership, title, accident history, condition or installed equipment today.","Inspect source errors and check-digit evidence. A partial or invalid source decode is a completed diagnostic, not a valid-vehicle certification."],"observed_at":"2026-10-20T00:00:00Z","source_message":"Synthetic fixture only","specifications":{"make":"SYNTHETIC","trim":null,"model":"Example","series":null,"fuel_type":null,"body_class":null,"drive_type":null,"model_year":"2011","manufacturer":null,"vehicle_type":null,"engine_liters":null,"plant_country":null,"engine_cylinders":null},"decode_complete":true,"source_error_codes":["0"],"requested_model_year":2011}},"example":null,"exampleRequest":null,"tags":["x402"],"displayCostAmount":"0.005","displayCostAsset":"USDC","priceDynamic":false,"priceHint":null,"priceStatus":"priced","priceSource":"probe","requiresHandshake":false,"reviewCount":0,"rating":{"score":"0.00","successRate":"0.00","reviews":0,"stars":null,"state":"unrated"},"availabilityStatus":"unknown","priceObserved":null,"sessionDeposit":null,"pricing":{"kind":"static","summary":"$0.005/call","primary":{"kind":"static","protocol":"x402","network":"base","amountUsd":"0.005","per":"call","confidence":"exact"},"accepted":[{"kind":"static","protocol":"x402","network":"base","amountUsd":"0.005","per":"call","confidence":"exact"}]},"paymentMethods":[{"uid":"pm_5Pg4aKFjBL44ps96o2yB2","protocol":"x402","methodType":"crypto","chain":"base","mode":"charge","costAmount":"0.005","costPer":"request","priority":0,"asset":"EPjFWdd5AufqSSqeM2qN1xzybapC8G4wEGGkZwyTDt1v","unit":"request","depositMicros":null,"planRef":null}],"brandName":null,"brandSlug":null,"brandBaseUrl":null,"brandDocsUrl":null,"whatItDoes":"Decodes a 17-character VIN against NHTSA vPIC, returning manufacturer, model-year, and equipment fields along with source errors, missing fields, and check-digit validation.","exampleAgentPrompt":"Can you decode the VIN 5UXWX7C5XBA123456 for me? It's a 2011 model year — I want to know the make, model, body class, and whether the check digit is valid.","exampleUseCases":[{"title":"Verify used car listing accuracy","prompt":"I'm looking at a used car listed as a 2019 BMW X5 — the VIN is 5UXCR6C54KLK12345. Can you decode that VIN and tell me if the make, model, and year actually match what the seller is claiming?"},{"title":"Pre-purchase check digit validation","prompt":"Before I buy this vehicle, can you check the VIN 1HGCM82633A123456 against the NHTSA database, verify the check digit is correct, and flag any source errors or missing fields?"},{"title":"Fleet intake data enrichment","prompt":"I need to enrich our fleet records — can you decode VIN JN1AZ4EH5FM730432 for a 2015 model year and pull back all the NHTSA specs like engine size, cylinders, fuel type, and drive type?"}],"resultDescription":"Returns a JSON object with the decoded VIN specifications (make, model, model year, trim, series, body class, drive type, fuel type, engine size, cylinders, plant country, vehicle type, manufacturer), a check-digit validation result showing expected vs. observed digit, source error codes, a decode_complete flag, the NHTSA source URL used, an observed_at timestamp, and a limitations array explaining coverage gaps and non-certification caveats.","failureModes":["Invalid VIN format (not matching ^[A-HJ-NPR-Z0-9]{17}$) — rejected before upstream call","NHTSA returns non-zero source error codes indicating unrecognized WMI or partial decode — returned as completed diagnostic with errors listed","Check digit mismatch — returned as evidence in check_digit object, not a blocking error","Model year outside 1981–2100 range — input validation failure","Non-US-market vehicle with limited NHTSA coverage — partial decode with limitations noted","Network or upstream NHTSA API timeout — service error response"],"whenToPreferThis":"Choose this endpoint when you need structured NHTSA manufacturer and equipment fields decoded from a raw 17-character VIN, particularly for US-market vehicles, and when you also need explicit check-digit validation and source error transparency. Prefer it over generic VIN lookup tools when you need source-linked, NHTSA-authoritative data with clear limitations stated (not ownership, accident history, or valid-vehicle certification). It is ideal for pre-purchase due diligence, fleet intake enrichment, or compliance workflows where auditability of the decode source matters.","instructions":null,"reviewSummary":null,"reviewSummaryHighlights":null,"reviewSummaryConcerns":null,"reviewSummaryGeneratedAt":null,"activationCount":0,"lastUsedAt":null,"lastSuccessfullyRanAt":null,"lastHealthCheckAt":"2026-10-30T06:32:22.322Z","isFirstParty":false,"canonicalSlug":"mekler-ai-vin-decoder-3eaf00b3"}