MCP Quickstart Guide

Get started with CarsXE's MCP server for AI-powered vehicle data integration in Claude, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible tools.

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that allows AI applications to securely connect to external data sources and tools. The CarsXE MCP server provides direct access to our comprehensive automotive database.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

A CarsXE API account - Sign up here
Your CarsXE API key
Node.js installed on your system
An MCP-compatible AI tool (Claude, Cursor, etc.)

Quick Setup

Step 1: Get Your API Key

Visit the CarsXE API dashboard
Navigate to your API keys section
Copy your API key

Step 2: Configure MCP Server

Add the following configuration to your MCP client:

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carsxe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote@latest",
        "https://mcp.carsxe.com/mcp",
        "--header",
        "X-API-Key: YOUR_CARSXE_API_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace YOUR_CARSXE_API_KEY with your actual API key.

Step 3: Start Using CarsXE Tools

Once configured, you'll have access to these vehicle data tools:

VIN Decoding: Get comprehensive vehicle specifications
Market Value: Retrieve current market valuations
License Plate Decoding: Extract vehicle information from plates
Vehicle Images: Access high-quality vehicle photos
Recall Information: Check for safety recalls
Vehicle History: Get detailed history reports
OBD Code Interpretation: Decode diagnostic trouble codes

Example Usage

Here are some example prompts you can try:

"Can you decode this VIN: 1HGBH41JXMN109186 and tell me the market value?"

"What recalls exist for a 2020 Honda Civic with VIN SHHFK7H47LU419620?"

"Show me images of a 2019 Tesla Model 3"

"Decode this license plate: ABC123 from California"

Features

Available Tools

Tool	Description
Vehicle Specifications	Decode 17-character VINs for detailed specifications
License Plate Decoder	Extract vehicle data from license plates
International VIN Decoder	Decode VINs for international markets
Market Value	Get current market pricing for vehicles
Vehicle History	Get comprehensive vehicle history
Vehicle Images	Access manufacturer and real-world vehicle photos
Vehicle Recalls	Search for safety recalls by VIN or vehicle details
VIN OCR	Optical character recognition for VIN scanning
Year Make Model	Extract year, make, and model from vehicle data
OBD Code Decoder	Interpret diagnostic trouble codes
Plate Image Recognition	Image-based license plate recognition

Supported Regions

United States: Full coverage for all tools
Canada: VIN decoding and market values
International: VIN decoding for major markets
Europe: Limited VIN decoding support

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Authentication Error

Verify your API key is correct
Ensure you have sufficient API credits
Check that your API key has the necessary permissions

Connection Issues

Confirm Node.js is installed and accessible
Verify your internet connection
Check that the MCP server URL is correct

Tool Not Found

Restart your MCP client
Verify the configuration syntax
Check the server logs for errors

Getting Help

Documentation: Full API Documentation
Support: Contact Support

Ready to revolutionize your AI-powered vehicle data workflows with CarsXE MCP server!

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