// OTOINDEX VS PARTS CATALOGS

A catalog has parts, not the job.

A parts catalog answers “which part” once you know the job. OtoIndex starts from the vehicle and returns the job: the parts matched to its config, priced as of a date, with the hours beside them.

8 / 8: capabilities OtoIndex returns in full.
0 / 8: parts catalogs return in full.
1 JSON shape: for every group, versioned.
free: to check on the sandbox, no key.

A catalog has parts, not the job.

The parts card carries the labor for the service beside the parts. That one line is the difference between a list and a quote.

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

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

the line a catalog does not have

Brake Pad Replacement

services[].labor.hours

1.4 h

Next to 45022-TLA-A02 at $70.99: parts and hours in one object, ready to price.

Check by check.

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

Capability comparison: Parts catalogs vs OtoIndex
Capability	Parts catalogs	OtoIndex
VIN / year/make/model identity decode Catalogs usually need the config chosen by hand first.	partial	included
Config-level precision (exact engine and trim) Catalogs branch on fitment questions; OtoIndex resolves them from the VIN.	partial	included
Fluid types and capacities for the exact engine Fluids are not parts; a catalog does not carry them.	not available	included
Service intervals (miles and months) The schedule that says when the part is due.	not available	included
OEM part numbers per config, with dated prices and MSRP Catalogs have numbers; prices and MSRP with an as-of date are the difference.	partial	included
Labor with provenance (method + confidence on every row) Labor per service, in the same card as the parts.	not available	included
Source + confidence on every value A catalog lists the part; OtoIndex says where each value came from and how sure it is.	not available	included
Whole vehicle in one call, one JSON shape One shape, versioned, for every group.	not available	included

A catalog is still the right tool for browsing every part on a vehicle, body panels and trim included. OtoIndex is scoped to the services on the maintenance schedule and the parts each one needs, with the price and the hours beside them. Shops that quote maintenance and repair get the whole job from one response; a body shop still wants the catalog.

One shape, versioned.

The raw parts response. /v1 fields are never removed or redefined, so a catalog integration written today keeps working.

parts.sh

curl 'https://vinspeclookup.com/api/v1/parts?config_key=2019_honda_cr_v_ex_l15be&service=brake_pad_replacement' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer otp_live_…'
 {
  "object": "parts",
  "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"
  },
  "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"
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "generated_at": 1792323140145
  }
}

200 OK · /v1 stable

// 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.

Try it free, no signup Request access