// NO KEYS · NO ACCOUNTS · X402
VIN decode API without an API key
Vindex is a pay-per-call VIN decode API that needs no API key and no account: any HTTP client or AI agent calls the endpoint directly, and paid routes settle in USDC on Base over the x402 protocol instead of gating access behind signups. It decodes any 17-character VIN and, on related routes, merges US (NHTSA) and Canada (Transport Canada) recalls, clusters known failure modes, and itemizes used-vehicle closing costs — so an autonomous buyer can get the facts it needs without ever registering.
Endpoints
- $0.01
GET /v1/decodeNormalized NHTSA vPIC VIN decode
- $0.01
GET /v1/recallsMerged US (NHTSA) + Canada (Transport Canada) recalls + full decoded vehicle
- $0.05
GET /v1/known-issuesLLM-clustered named failure modes with verified ODI citations + reliability block + full decode
- $0.02
GET /v1/purchase-costsItemized US + Canada used-vehicle closing costs (country=CA|US)
The free /v1/sample/decode endpoint returns a real decode shape for a fixed sample vehicle with no payment. Prices start at $0.01.
How agents pay — no key required
There is no key to provision and no auth header. Call a paid endpoint, receive HTTP 402 with the price, sign a USDC authorization on Base, and retry with the payment header. Payment is the only gate.
# free — no key, no payment $ curl https://api.vindexapi.dev/v1/sample/decode # paid — 402 then retry with a signed payment $ curl "https://api.vindexapi.dev/v1/decode?vin=1FTFW1ET5DFC10312" HTTP/2 402 · PAYMENT REQUIRED HTTP/2 200 · OK — SETTLED AFTER COMPUTE
FAQ
- Is there a VIN decode API with no API key?
- Yes. Vindex requires no API key, no account, and no sandbox credentials. You call the endpoint directly; paid routes return an x402 payment challenge that any wallet settles per call. The free /v1/sample/decode endpoint needs no payment at all.
- How do I authenticate without a key?
- There is no authentication step and no bearer token. Payment is the access control: a paid call answers with HTTP 402, your wallet signs a USDC transfer authorization on Base, and you retry with the payment header. Nothing ties a call to a named account.
- How much does a VIN decode cost?
- Vindex prices every route per call in USDC. A normalized VIN decode is $0.01; recalls, known-issues, and closing-cost routes are priced separately. Prices start at $0.01. There is no subscription or monthly minimum.
- Does it cover Canada as well as the US?
- Yes. Vindex merges US (NHTSA) and Canada (Transport Canada) recall data in a single response and itemizes used-vehicle closing costs across all of Canada plus all 50 US states and DC.
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