---
title: ToolRouter — Tool Detail
description: Detailed documentation for a ToolRouter tool including skills, parameters, and examples.
url: https://toolrouter.com/tools/vehicle-data
---
# Vehicle Data

Decode VINs (140+ fields), Dutch plate lookup, UK MOT inspection history, safety recalls (US/Canada), complaints, fuel economy, NCAP ratings, manufacturer brands, vehicle specs, fuel prices, and safety investigations. Data from NHTSA, RDW, DVSA, Transport Canada, and FuelEconomy.gov.

- **Version:** 0.05
- **Categories:** data

## Skills (13)

### Decode VIN (`decode_vin`)

Decode a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number to get make, model, year, engine type, body class, transmission, safety features, plant info, and 140+ data fields.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `vin` | string | Yes | A 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Found on dashboard, door jamb, or registration documents. |
| `model_year` | number | No | Optional model year to improve accuracy for pre-1981 VINs or ambiguous decodes |

**Returns:** Comprehensive vehicle data including make, model, year, engine, body class, safety features, plant info, and 140+ decoded fields

**Examples:**

*Decode a Honda Accord VIN:*

```json
{
  "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352"
}
```

*Decode with model year hint:*

```json
{
  "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
  "model_year": 2003
}
```

### Decode WMI (`decode_wmi`)

Identify any vehicle manufacturer worldwide from the first 3 characters of a VIN (World Manufacturer Identifier). Works for vehicles from any country — not limited to the US market.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `wmi` | string | Yes | A 3-character World Manufacturer Identifier, or a full 17-character VIN (first 3 chars will be used) |

**Returns:** Manufacturer name, make, parent company, and vehicle type for any VIN worldwide

**Examples:**

*Identify manufacturer from WMI code:*

```json
{
  "wmi": "1HG"
}
```

*Identify manufacturer from a full VIN:*

```json
{
  "wmi": "WVWZZZ3CZWE123456"
}
```

### Plate Lookup (`plate_lookup`)

Look up a vehicle by license plate number. Returns make, model, colour, engine, fuel type, registration details, and more. Currently supports Netherlands (RDW).

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `plate` | string | Yes | Vehicle license plate number (e.g. "AB-895-P" or "AB895P" for Netherlands) |
| `country` | string | Yes | Country code: "nl" for Netherlands (nl) |

**Returns:** Vehicle registration details including make, model, colour, fuel type, engine specs, and APK inspection status

**Examples:**

*Look up a Dutch vehicle by plate:*

```json
{
  "plate": "AB895P",
  "country": "nl"
}
```

### Inspection History (`inspection_history`)

Get full MOT inspection history for a UK vehicle by registration plate. Returns every test date, pass/fail result, mileage, expiry date, advisory notes, failure reasons, and minor defects.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `plate` | string | Yes | UK vehicle registration plate (e.g. "AB12CDE" or "AB12 CDE") |
| `country` | string | Yes | Country code: "uk" for United Kingdom (uk) |

**Returns:** Full MOT inspection history including test dates, pass/fail results, mileage readings, advisory notes, failure reasons, and minor defects

**Examples:**

*Check MOT history for a UK vehicle:*

```json
{
  "plate": "AB12CDE",
  "country": "uk"
}
```

### Search Models (`search_models`)

Find available vehicle models for a given make and optional model year. When make is omitted or list_all_makes is true, returns all known vehicle makes. Also returns vehicle types for the make.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | No | Vehicle manufacturer name (e.g. "Honda", "Ford", "Tesla", "BMW"). Omit to list all known makes. |
| `year` | number | No | Optional model year to filter results (e.g. 2024) |
| `list_all_makes` | boolean | No | Set to true to list all known vehicle makes instead of searching models for a specific make |

**Returns:** List of vehicle models for the specified make and optional year, or all known vehicle makes when make is omitted

**Examples:**

*Find all Honda models:*

```json
{
  "make": "Honda"
}
```

*Find 2024 Tesla models:*

```json
{
  "make": "Tesla",
  "year": 2024
}
```

*List all known vehicle makes:*

```json
{
  "list_all_makes": true
}
```

### Check Recalls (`check_recalls`)

Search safety recalls for a vehicle by make, model, and year. Supports US (NHTSA) and Canada (Transport Canada). Returns recall campaigns, affected components, and remedy information.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Toyota", "Ford") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Camry", "F-150") |
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2020) |
| `country` | string | No | Country: "us" for United States (default), "ca" for Canada (us, ca) [default: "us"] |

**Returns:** Safety recall campaigns including campaign number, affected component, defect description, consequence, and remedy

**Examples:**

*Check US recalls for a 2020 Honda CR-V:*

```json
{
  "make": "Honda",
  "model": "CR-V",
  "year": 2020
}
```

*Check Canadian recalls for a 2019 Toyota Camry:*

```json
{
  "make": "Toyota",
  "model": "Camry",
  "year": 2019,
  "country": "ca"
}
```

### Check Complaints (`check_complaints`)

Search consumer complaints for a specific vehicle by make, model, and year. Returns reported problems, crash and injury counts, and affected components. Supports optional date filtering. US market only.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Honda", "Ford") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Civic", "Explorer") |
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2021) |
| `start_date` | string | No | Filter complaints filed on or after this date (YYYY-MM-DD format) |
| `end_date` | string | No | Filter complaints filed on or before this date (YYYY-MM-DD format) |

**Returns:** Consumer complaints with component affected, problem description, crash and injury counts, and filing date

**Examples:**

*Check complaints for a 2021 Ford Explorer:*

```json
{
  "make": "Ford",
  "model": "Explorer",
  "year": 2021
}
```

*Check complaints filed in 2022:*

```json
{
  "make": "Ford",
  "model": "Explorer",
  "year": 2021,
  "start_date": "2022-01-01",
  "end_date": "2022-12-31"
}
```

### Fuel Economy (`fuel_economy`)

Look up EPA fuel economy ratings for a vehicle by make, model, and year. Returns city, highway, and combined MPG for each available trim and engine configuration. US market only.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Toyota", "Tesla") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Corolla", "Model 3") |
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2024) |

**Returns:** EPA fuel economy ratings including city, highway, and combined MPG, fuel type, annual fuel cost, and CO2 emissions for each trim

**Examples:**

*Check fuel economy for a 2024 Toyota Corolla:*

```json
{
  "make": "Toyota",
  "model": "Corolla",
  "year": 2024
}
```

*Check fuel economy for a 2024 Tesla Model 3:*

```json
{
  "make": "Tesla",
  "model": "Model 3",
  "year": 2024
}
```

### Safety Ratings (`safety_ratings`)

Get NCAP crash test star ratings for a vehicle by make, model, and year. Returns overall rating (1-5 stars), frontal, side, side pole, and rollover ratings per variant. US market only.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Honda", "Toyota") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Civic", "Camry") |
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2024) |

**Returns:** NCAP crash test ratings including overall stars (1-5), frontal crash, side crash, side pole, rollover ratings, and safety feature availability for each variant

**Examples:**

*Check safety ratings for a 2024 Toyota Camry:*

```json
{
  "make": "Toyota",
  "model": "Camry",
  "year": 2024
}
```

*Check safety ratings for a 2023 Honda CR-V:*

```json
{
  "make": "Honda",
  "model": "CR-V",
  "year": 2023
}
```

### Manufacturer Brands (`manufacturer_brands`)

Find all vehicle brands and makes under a parent manufacturer. For example, Volkswagen Group produces Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and more.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `manufacturer` | string | Yes | Parent manufacturer name (e.g. "Volkswagen", "Toyota Motor", "General Motors", "Stellantis") |

**Returns:** All vehicle brands and makes produced under the specified parent manufacturer

**Examples:**

*Find all brands under Volkswagen:*

```json
{
  "manufacturer": "Volkswagen"
}
```

*Find all brands under Toyota Motor:*

```json
{
  "manufacturer": "Toyota Motor"
}
```

### Vehicle Specs (`vehicle_specs`)

Get physical dimensions and weight for a vehicle by make, model, and year. Returns overall length, width, height, wheelbase, curb weight, and track width in metric units.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2014) |
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Honda", "Toyota") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Civic", "Camry") |

**Returns:** Vehicle dimensions and weight including overall length, width, height, wheelbase, curb weight, and track widths in metric units

**Examples:**

*Get specs for a 2014 Toyota Corolla:*

```json
{
  "year": 2014,
  "make": "Toyota",
  "model": "Corolla"
}
```

*Get specs for a 2014 Honda Civic:*

```json
{
  "year": 2014,
  "make": "Honda",
  "model": "Civic"
}
```

### Fuel Prices (`fuel_prices`)

Get current US national average fuel prices for all fuel types including regular, midgrade, premium gasoline, diesel, E85 ethanol, electricity ($/kWh), CNG, and LPG.

**Returns:** Current US national average prices for regular, midgrade, premium, diesel, E85, electric ($/kWh), CNG, and LPG

**Examples:**

*Get current US fuel prices:*

```json
{}
```

### Check Investigations (`check_investigations`)

Search active and closed NHTSA safety investigations for a vehicle by make, model, and year. Returns investigation number, type, subject, status (open/closed), opening date, and description.

**Parameters:**

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `make` | string | Yes | Vehicle manufacturer (e.g. "Tesla", "Toyota") |
| `model` | string | Yes | Vehicle model (e.g. "Model 3", "Camry") |
| `year` | number | Yes | Model year (e.g. 2022) |

**Returns:** NHTSA safety investigations including investigation ID, type, subject, status (open/closed), opening date, summary, and corrective action

**Examples:**

*Check investigations for a 2022 Tesla Model 3:*

```json
{
  "make": "Tesla",
  "model": "Model 3",
  "year": 2022
}
```

*Check investigations for a 2020 Honda CR-V:*

```json
{
  "make": "Honda",
  "model": "CR-V",
  "year": 2020
}
```

## Quick Start

```bash
# Via CLI
TOOLROUTER_API_KEY=tr_live_xxx npx -y toolrouter-mcp call vehicle-data decode_vin --vin 1HGCM82633A004352

# Via REST API
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer tr_live_xxx" \
     -d '{"tool":"vehicle-data","skill":"decode_vin","input":{"vin":"1HGCM82633A004352"}}' \
     https://api.toolrouter.com/v1/tools/call
```

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What do I get from a VIN decode?

`decode_vin` returns the core vehicle record plus 140+ decoded fields, including make, model, model year, engine, body class, transmission, safety features, and plant info. If the VIN is ambiguous, adding a `model_year` hint can help narrow the result.

### Can it look up a license plate instead of a VIN?

Yes. `plate_lookup` works for Dutch plates and returns registration details such as make, model, fuel type, engine specs, colour, and APK inspection status.

### Can I check recalls or complaints on a specific vehicle?

Use `check_recalls` for US and Canada safety recalls, and `check_complaints` for US consumer complaints with crash, injury, and component details.

### Does it also cover fuel economy, specs, and safety ratings?

Yes. `fuel_economy` returns EPA MPG and annual fuel cost, `vehicle_specs` covers dimensions and weight, and `safety_ratings` shows NCAP star ratings by variant.

---

## Get Started with ToolRouter

**Already connected?** Call any tool with `use_tool({ tool, skill, input })`. Browse tools with `discover` or visit https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt

**New to ToolRouter?** Connect with one command (no API key needed — auto-provisions on first use):

```bash
# MCP (Claude Code, Codex CLI)
claude mcp add toolrouter -- npx -y toolrouter-mcp

# MCP (Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop)
{"mcpServers":{"toolrouter":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","toolrouter-mcp"]}}}

# Claude Chat / Claude Cowork / Claude Mobile — add as a connector:
# Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector → URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# ChatGPT — add as an app:
# Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → enable Developer mode → Create app → MCP Server URL: https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp

# CLI (works instantly, no restart needed)
npx -y toolrouter-mcp tools                    # browse all tools
npx -y toolrouter-mcp search "seo"             # search by keyword
npx -y toolrouter-mcp call seo analyze_page --url https://example.com
```

Free tools work immediately. For paid tools, visit https://toolrouter.com/claim to add credits.

All platforms: https://toolrouter.com/connect | Full catalog: https://toolrouter.com/llms-full.txt | Docs: https://toolrouter.com/docs