# CarAPI MCP MCP > CarAPI MCP connects your agent to a database of 66,000+ vehicles. Find cars by year, make, model, or trim; filter down options using specs like engine type, body style, and transmission; retrieve full details including MSRP and fuel economy data. ## Overview - **Category:** automotive - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** carapi, vehicles, cars, automotive-data, specs, vin-decoder ## Description This connector lets you talk to an entire vehicle database, getting specific car facts through natural conversation. You don't need to know the exact table structure or which query parameters are needed; your AI client handles that complexity for you. For instance, instead of running multiple queries to narrow down options, you simply ask, 'Show me electric SUVs from 2024 with less than $50k.' The system then finds those cars and gives you their full specs, including engine capacity, transmission type, and MSRP. It's a massive resource for anyone building anything that deals with auto data. If you're looking to manage inventory or compare models, connecting this MCP through the Vinkius catalog keeps everything in one place, so your agent can access all automotive data without needing separate integrations. ## Tools ### get_bodies Returns a list of all recognized car body types, such as sedan or SUV. ### get_drives Provides an exhaustive list of available drivetrain types (e.g., FWD, AWD). ### get_engines Outputs a complete catalog of all engine configurations and capacities. ### get_makes Returns the names and IDs of car manufacturers, allowing filtering by year. ### get_models Retrieves all model names for a specific make, limited to a given year. ### get_transmissions Lists every type of transmission available in the database. ### get_vehicles Performs the main search, returning full details on vehicles based on multiple criteria like make, model, and year. ### get_years Provides a list of all years available in the dataset for filtering searches. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Find all electric SUVs from 2024. ``` **Response:** ``` Found 25 electric SUVs from 2024 including: Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Rivian R1S. Each with MSRP, range, battery size and charging specs. ``` **Prompt:** ``` What models does Toyota make? ``` **Response:** ``` Toyota makes 30+ models including: Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra, Prius, 4Runner, Sienna, Crown. Available years range from 1990 to 2024. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Show me specs for the 2024 Honda Civic. ``` **Response:** ``` 2024 Honda Civic: Body: Sedan. Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder (158 hp) or 1.5L Turbo (180 hp). Transmission: CVT or 6-speed manual. Drive: FWD. Fuel: 31/40 mpg city/highway. MSRP: $24,650 - $30,650. ``` ## Capabilities ### List available car categories Retrieves lists of body types, engine kinds, drive systems, and transmissions used in the database. ### Find all manufacturers Gets a list of every car make; optionally filters this list by a specific year. ### Browse model lineups Retrieves available models for a given manufacturer, with the ability to limit results to a certain year. ### Search and filter vehicles Searches through the main database using multiple criteria like year, make, model, body type, engine specs, or transmission. ### Get specific vehicle details Pulls full specifications for a single car, including MSRP, fuel economy numbers, and dimensions. ## Use Cases ### A dealer needs instant inventory checks. The manager asks the agent: 'Show me all 2019 SUVs that use a V6 engine and are FWD.' The agent runs `get_vehicles` using all those filters, providing an immediate list of available VINs and specs. ### A developer builds a comparison tool. The developer uses the MCP to first call `get_makes`, then loops through each make calling `get_models` to build a full, searchable dropdown menu for their website. ### An analyst tracks market trends. The analyst asks: 'What was the average MSRP range for sedans across all major makes between 2015 and 2020?' The agent pulls data using `get_bodies` to filter by sedan, then runs `get_vehicles` over the specified decade. ### A user wants basic model options. The user simply asks: 'What models does Toyota make?' The agent uses `get_makes` followed by `get_models`, returning a concise list of available vehicles and their general year range. ## Benefits - You can compare cars based on specific mechanics; instead of manual lookups, your agent uses `get_engines` and filters results to only show vehicles with the required engine type. - When you need a starting list, you don't have to guess. Use `get_years`, `get_makes`, or `get_models` first to define parameters before running a full search; it prevents bad queries. - The system doesn't just give you names. The main function is pulling everything—MSRP, dimensions, and fuel economy—in one go using the `get_vehicles` tool for comparison groups. - You can structure your app logic perfectly by first calling `get_bodies` to get a list of acceptable body styles, then passing that list into your primary search query. - It handles all the structural data points for you. For example, if you need to know what transmissions are available, you just call `get_transmissions` without needing any other input. ## How It Works The bottom line is your agent handles the complex data querying; you just ask what car you're looking for. 1. Subscribe to the CarAPI MCP on Vinkius and provide your API key. 2. Your AI client uses natural language prompts (e.g., 'Find all diesel pickups from 2018'). 3. The MCP translates that request into structured calls across multiple tools, returning a clean list of vehicles and their specs. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I get a CarAPI key?** Sign up at [**carapi.app**](https://carapi.app/) and get your API key from the dashboard. Free tier available with limited requests. **How many vehicles are in the database?** The database includes 66,000+ vehicles from 1990 to current year, covering all major manufacturers and models sold in the US market. **Can I filter vehicles by engine type?** Yes! Use get_vehicles with engine_type parameter to filter by gas, diesel, electric, hybrid and more. **If I need to know all available car body types before searching, what tool should I use? (get_bodies)** You must call get_bodies first. This returns a complete list of recognized body styles like 'Sedan' or 'SUV'. Using this reference data prevents failed searches when you run get_vehicles later. **What fields are included in the output when I use the get_vehicles tool? (get_vehicles)** The results provide deep specs, including MSRP, fuel economy details, engine size, transmission type, and body style. This comprehensive data set lets your agent pull everything you need into a single record. **How does the MCP handle invalid inputs or missing vehicle criteria? (get_vehicles)** The system validates all parameters before running the search. If an input is out of scope, it returns a specific error code and clear message detailing which field needs fixing. You don't get vague failures. **Are there any rate limits or usage restrictions when I query this MCP? (get_vehicles)** Usage is governed by your Vinkius subscription tier, but we track activity to ensure stability. High-volume querying will trigger throttling messages, telling you exactly how long to wait before trying again. **Can I use the get_years tool to determine what years are available for filtering? (get_years)** Yes, calling get_years immediately gives you a definitive list of all supported model years. This is crucial because it confirms the date range before you even attempt to call get_makes or get_models.