// OTOINDEX VS BASIC VIN DECODERS

Where a decoder stops.

A VIN decoder tells you what the car is. To quote or fix it you still need what it takes and what it costs. OtoIndex returns both, keyed the same way, in one response.

8 / 8: capabilities OtoIndex returns in full.
1 / 8: basic vin decoders return in full.
1 JSON shape: for every group, versioned.
free: to check on the sandbox, no key.

One VIN, two responses.

Left: identity only, which is what a decoder gives you (here, OtoIndex's own decode call). Right: the same VIN through the vehicle call.

identity.sh

curl 'https://vinspeclookup.com/api/v1/decode?vin=5J6RW2H82KL000007' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer otp_live_…'
 {
  "object": "decode",
  "config": {
    "chassis_code": "RW",
    "config_key": "2019_honda_cr_v_ex_l15be",
    "drivetrain": "4WD",
    "engine": {
      "aspiration": "turbo",
      "code": "L15BE",
      "cylinders": 4,
      "displacement_l": 1.5,
      "fuel_injection": "direct",
      "label": "1.5L L15BE 4cyl"
    },
    "enrichment": {
      "confidence_avg": 0.8310866477272721,
      "fill_rate": 92,
      "status": "complete"
    },
    "make": "Honda",
    "model": "CR-V",
    "transmission": "Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)",
    "trim": "EX",
    "year": 2019
  }
}

200 OK · identity, nothing to quote from

vehicle.sh

curl 'https://vinspeclookup.com/api/v1/vehicle?vin=5J6RW2H82KL000007&include=fluids,parts,tires' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer otp_live_…'
 {
  "object": "vehicle",
  "config": {
    "config_key": "2019_honda_cr_v_ex_l15be",
    "year": 2019,
    "make": "Honda",
    "model": "CR-V",
    "trim": "EX",
    "engine": "1.5L L15BE 4cyl",
    "drivetrain": "4WD"
  },
  "specs": [
    {
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "field": "oil_viscosity",
      "group": "Fluids",
      "label": "Oil viscosity",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "lemon-manuals.la",
      "value": "0W-20"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "field": "oil_capacity_qts",
      "group": "Fluids",
      "label": "Oil capacity (qts)",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "costaoils.com",
      "value": "3.7"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.98,
      "field": "coolant_type",
      "group": "Fluids",
      "label": "Coolant type",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "lemon-manuals.la",
      "value": "Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "field": "diff_fluid_type",
      "group": "Fluids",
      "label": "Differential fluid",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "crvownersclub.com",
      "value": "Honda Dual Pump Fluid II (DPSF-II)"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "field": "lug_nut_torque_ft_lbs",
      "group": "Chassis",
      "label": "Lug nut torque (ft-lbs)",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "crvguide.com",
      "value": "80"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "field": "battery_group",
      "group": "Chassis",
      "label": "Battery group",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "honda.oempartsonline.com",
      "value": "51R"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "field": "front_wiper_size",
      "group": "Chassis",
      "label": "Front wiper size (in)",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": "hitchesguide.com",
      "value": "26"
    },
    {
      "confidence": null,
      "field": "steering_type",
      "group": "Chassis",
      "label": "Steering type",
      "layer": "C",
      "source_domain": null,
      "value": "electric"
    }
  ],
  "tires": {
    "battery_cca": 400,
    "front_size": null,
    "is_run_flat": null,
    "is_staggered": false,
    "options": [
      {
        "aspect_ratio": 60,
        "is_oem_standard": true,
        "load_index": 103,
        "pressure_front_psi": 33,
        "pressure_rear_psi": 30,
        "rim_diameter_in": 18,
        "size_front": "235/60R18",
        "speed_rating": "H",
        "wheel_spec": "7.5Jx18 ET45",
        "width_mm": 235
      },
      {
        "aspect_ratio": 65,
        "is_oem_standard": false,
        "load_index": 104,
        "pressure_front_psi": 32,
        "pressure_rear_psi": 30,
        "rim_diameter_in": 17,
        "size_front": "235/65R17",
        "speed_rating": "H",
        "wheel_spec": "7.5Jx17 ET45",
        "width_mm": 235
      }
    ],
    "pressure_front_psi": 32,
    "pressure_rear_psi": 30,
    "rear_size": null,
    "source": "https://www.wheel-size.com/size/honda/cr-v/2019/"
  },
  "intervals": [
    {
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "display": null,
      "interval_miles": 7500,
      "interval_months": 12,
      "mechanic_verified": false,
      "name": "Oil Change",
      "service": "oil_change"
    },
    {
      "confidence": 0.9199999999999999,
      "display": null,
      "interval_miles": 7500,
      "interval_months": 6,
      "mechanic_verified": false,
      "name": "Tire Rotation",
      "service": "tire_rotation"
    }
  ],
  "services": [
    {
      "applicable": true,
      "labor": {
        "confidence": 0.3,
        "hours": 1.4,
        "sample_size": null,
        "source": "model_estimate",
        "tier_floor_applied": true
      },
      "name": "Brake Pad Replacement",
      "parts": [
        {
          "confidence": 0.97,
          "mechanic_verified": false,
          "name": "Front Brake Pads",
          "oem_part_number": "45022-TLA-A02",
          "position": "front",
          "price": {
            "amount": 70.99,
            "as_of": 1787173928266,
            "msrp": 103.07,
            "source_domain": "honda.oempartsonline.com"
          },
          "quantity": 1,
          "role": "core",
          "subcategory": "front_brake_pad"
        },
        {
          "confidence": 0.97,
          "mechanic_verified": false,
          "name": "Rear Brake Pads",
          "oem_part_number": "43022-TLA-A00",
          "position": "rear",
          "price": {
            "amount": 70.62,
            "as_of": 1787173937854,
            "msrp": 99.75,
            "source_domain": "hondapartsnow.com"
          },
          "quantity": 1,
          "role": "core",
          "subcategory": "rear_brake_pad"
        }
      ],
      "service": "brake_pad_replacement"
    }
  ],
  "history": null,
  "meta": {
    "generated_at": 1792323140145
  }
}

200 OK · identity plus every group you named

Check by check.

The eight rows of the homepage matrix, with a sentence on each about what the difference is in practice.

Capability comparison: Basic VIN decoders vs OtoIndex
Capability	Basic VIN decoders	OtoIndex
VIN / year/make/model identity decode Both resolve the vehicle.	included	included
Config-level precision (exact engine and trim) A decoder stops at model; OtoIndex resolves to a config_key with the engine code.	not available	included
Fluid types and capacities for the exact engine 0W-20 and 3.7 qt, not a category average.	not available	included
Service intervals (miles and months) Some decoders attach a generic schedule; OtoIndex returns one per config.	partial	included
OEM part numbers per config, with dated prices and MSRP Part numbers per service, priced with an as-of date.	not available	included
Labor with provenance (method + confidence on every row) Estimated hours per service on /v0/labor, each labelled with its method.	not available	included
Source + confidence on every value Each value says where it came from and how sure we are.	not available	included
Whole vehicle in one call, one JSON shape GET /v1/vehicle with include= returns every group you name.	not available	included

A decoder is still the right tool when identity is all you need: a plate lookup, a title check, a form that only wants year, make and model. OtoIndex returns the same identity and keeps going, so the question is whether the next screen in your product needs a number a decoder cannot give: a capacity, an interval, a part price, an hour. If it does, one call replaces two integrations.

The same VIN, both ways.

The console's structured view of the vehicle call, with one fluid pulled out: the figure a decoder cannot give you.

Preview · sample

2019 Honda CR-V EX

complete92% filled

Engine

1.5L L15BE 4cyl

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Chassis

config_key

2019_honda_cr_v_ex_l15be

Fluids

Oil viscosity

oil_viscosity

0W-20

Oil capacity (qts)

oil_capacity_qts

3.7

Coolant type

coolant_type

Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2

Differential fluid

diff_fluid_type

Honda Dual Pump Fluid II (DPSF-II)

Chassis

Lug nut torque (ft-lbs)

lug_nut_torque_ft_lbs

Battery group

battery_group

51R

Front wiper size (in)

front_wiper_size

Steering type

steering_type

electric

Tires & wheels

square fitmentstandard

Front PSI

Rear PSI

Battery CCA

400

Factory options

235/60R18LI 103SR HOEM standard

235/65R17LI 104SR H

Maintenance schedule

Oil Change

oil_change

7500 mi / 12 mo

Tire Rotation

tire_rotation

7500 mi / 6 mo

Parts & labor

Brake Pad Replacement

applicablelabor 1.4 h

45022-TLA-A02Front Brake Padscorefront×1$70.99$103.07

43022-TLA-A00Rear Brake Padscorerear×1$70.62$99.75

Generated Oct 18, 2026

one field, as returned

Oil capacity (qts)

oil_capacity_qts

3.7

Inside the vehicle response's specs[] block, next to identity, tires, intervals and priced parts.

// TRY IT

Check it against your own vehicle.

Every window above is the sandbox's answer for the reference vehicle. Run the same calls with no key, then request access for live data.

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