VIN API - VIN Decoder for anyone
VIN API came about through lots of work on a current project of ours - Mr. Quotey. We are dealing with auto insurance and wanted a way to decode VINs. The other solutions we found (API-wise) were too expensive for our small, unfunded startup. So like the way most great things come about, we decided to build our own VIN decoding API.
Using VIN API:
This is explained in detail at VIN API's site, but I will give you a look at what it does here.
If you use Ruby on Rails like I do, then you have the option to use ActiveResource:
Then you can use it like this:
Current Limitations:
Right now each account is limited to 20 VIN requests a month, we are looking to take it slow and prevent abuse. If you do need more VIN decodings a month, feel free to let us know at Mr. Quotey, we'd be happy to up the max for your account.
Where to next?:
It is too soon to really tell. We'd like your feedback and to know if this service is useful. If it gets enough buzz, we would probably pursue it a bit more and drop the monthly limitations.
Nicely done, not sure I would ever use it, but outstanding nonetheless.
Thanks Mr. Wilson — it is sort of one of those niche needs isn’t it? It is picking up a little interest though.
I can’t login, there is some error
I see your account. I’ll email you.
Actually, I just added a “reset password” page for you off of the login page.
http://vinapi.skizmo.com/forgot
This is an awesome solution for a lot of companys, actually. Can’t thank you enough for providing this.
Super duper impressed with this API. I’ll definitely be using it. Couple of questions:
1) Do you have a rate limit?
2) Do the results come through in all-caps because that is how it is in your data? If you are capping it before sending it through the API, it is more useful for *some* (meaning me) to have the data in its original form (hopefully proper case).
1) It’s limited to 20 free, unique requests per month right now, since I am still getting feedback.
2) I don’t change any of the data, I send it in original form.
@Matthew - glad you like it, spread the word
Hi Charlie. I sent an email about possibly getting a larger rate limit in exchange for writing a C# library and never heard back from your team. Should I take that as a “no”?
Matthew - sorry about taking so long to get back to your email. It’s definitely not a “no” and we look forward to working with you.
I emailed a few days ago and haven’t received a reply back. I’d also like to know about changing the rate.
We are a few days behind on email with regards to VIN API and its 20 requests a month limit. A lot more interest than we anticipated