Vehicle Plate Decoder (Deprecated)

The Vehicle Plate Decoder API provides access to a library of vehicle's data based on the vehicle's registration/license plate number and state.


This API is deprecated and will be removed in the future. Please use the Plate Decoder V2 API instead.

The Vehicle Plate Decoder API looks up the vehicle through the database for matches and returns the VIN, make, model and year among other attributes. It can be coupled with other APIs to become even more powerful. The state is a two letter abbreviation of one of the 50 states, or DC (District of Columbia), GU (Guam), PR (Puerto Rico) or VI (Virgin Islands).

International support includes the following countries: Australia, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, India, Mexico and New Zealand.


This endpoint allows you to retrieve vehicle information based on license plates and registration numbers.

Required attributes

  • Name
    key
    Type
    string
    Description

    Your CarsXE API key.

  • Name
    plate
    Type
    string
    Description

    The vehicle registration number or license plate number.

  • Name
    state
    Type
    string
    Description

    The two letter state code (US) such as CA or NY, Australian state (see FAQ) or Brazil BR, United Kingdom UK, Ireland IR, Italy IT, Spain ES, India IND, Mexico MX and New Zealand NZ.

  • Name
    country
    Type
    string
    Description

    Australia AU

    Optional for US.

Optional attributes

  • Name
    format
    Type
    string
    Description

    The format of the response. One of json or xml. Defaults to json.


Response attributes

  • Name
    vin
    Type
    string
    Description

    The vehicle identification number.

  • Name
    success
    Type
    boolean
    Description

    Whether the plate decoder data has been retrieved.

  • Name
    imageUrl
    Type
    string
    Description

    A stock photo of that general vehicle. (Use Images API for more control)

  • Name
    assembly
    Type
    string
    Description

    Where the vehicle was assembled.

  • Name
    Description
    Type
    string
    Description

    Vehicle description of make, model and trim.

  • Name
    RegistrationYear
    Type
    string
    Description

    Year of the vehicle's registration.

  • Name
    CarMake
    Type
    string
    Description

    The vehicle make.

  • Name
    CarModel
    Type
    string
    Description

    The model of the vehicle.

  • Name
    BodyStyle
    Type
    string
    Description

    The specific vehicle body style.

  • Name
    EngineSize
    Type
    string
    Description

    The vehicle's engine size.

Frequently asked questions

Request

GET
/platedecoder
curl -G https://api.carsxe.com/platedecoder \
  -d key=CARSXE_API_KEY \
  -d plate=7XER187 \
  -d state=CA

Response

{
    "success": true,
    "input": {
        "plate": "7XER187",
        "country": "",
        "state": "CA",
    },
    "Description": "Kia Forte LX",
    "imageUrl": "https://api.carsxe.com/pic?image=@S2lhIEZvcnRlIExY",
    "vin": "3KPFK4A78HE103497",
    "BodyStyle": "Sedan 4D",
    "RegistrationYear": "2017",
    "EngineSize": "2.0L I4 MPI",
    "CarMake": "Kia",
    "CarModel": "Forte LX",
    "assembly": "Mexico",
}