https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/ – NHTSA Vehicle Product Information Catalog

The NHTSA dataset combines the official vPIC decoder data with the vPIC reference data used to interpret vehicles, manufacturers, makes, models, WMI codes, variable values, and equipment plants. The decoder and reference data are published through benthic.io; reference tables are synchronized from the vPIC API.

The default profile contains the decoder tables and RPCs. Reference tables are published at the /reference/ path.

Quick start

# Decode one VIN
curl -X POST "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/rpc/spvindecode" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"v":"1HGCM82633A004352"}'

# Decode a batch
curl -X POST "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/rpc/spvindecodemultiple" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"vin_list":["1HGCM82633A004352","1FTFW1ET4EFA12345"]}'

# Query the upstream decoder tables
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/wmi?limit=1"
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/make?select=id,name&order=name&limit=20"

# Query synchronized reference data
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/manufacturers?limit=25"
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/wmi_codes?select=wmi,brand_name,country&limit=25"

The decoder returns one row per decoded variable. The Error Code and Error Text variables report whether the VIN decoded cleanly. A VIN that is syntactically valid but not present in the current vPIC patterns may return a non-clean result.

Data profiles

Public path PostgREST profile Contents
/parts/NHTSA/ vpic Official vPIC decoder tables and decoder RPCs
/parts/NHTSA/reference/ api_reference Manufacturers, WMI codes, variables, values, historical models, and equipment plants

The published reference path selects the api_reference profile automatically. Direct PostgREST clients can select it with Accept-Profile: api_reference on GET requests and Content-Profile: api_reference on writes.

Key tables

Decoder tables

Table Purpose
wmi World Manufacturer Identifier records and manufacturer links
manufacturer Manufacturer records in the decoder snapshot
make Make records used by VIN patterns
model Model records used by VIN patterns
element Variable definitions used by decoded output
vinschema VIN schema and pattern records
vindescriptor Variable descriptors used to build decoded results
decodingoutput Decoded output projections supplied by the published decoder dataset

Use the OpenAPI specification for the complete relation and column contract.

Reference tables

Table Key columns Purpose
manufacturers manufacturer_id, manufacturer_name vPIC manufacturer directory
wmi_codes wmi, manufacturer_id WMI, make, vehicle type, and country reference
vehicle_variables variable_id, variable_name Variable definitions and lookup metadata
variable_values variable_id, value_id Values used by lookup variables
models_historical make_id, model_id, year Serialized vPIC model history
equipment_plants equipment_type, plant_year, dot_code Manufacturer equipment plant reports

Querying reference data

# Search manufacturers
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/manufacturers?manufacturer_name=ilike.*HONDA*&select=manufacturer_id,manufacturer_name,manufacturer_common_name&limit=25"

# Find WMI codes for a manufacturer
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/wmi_codes?manufacturer_id=eq.2364&select=wmi,brand_name,country&order=wmi&limit=100"

# List active equipment plants in a country
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/equipment_plants?plant_country=ilike.*UNITED STATES*&plant_status=eq.Active&select=plant_name,plant_city,plant_state,dot_code&limit=50"

# Historical models for a make
curl "https://benthic.io/parts/NHTSA/reference/models_historical?make_id=eq.468&select=year,model_id,model_name&order=year.desc&limit=100"

PostgREST query reference

Operation Syntax
Filter ?column=eq.value
Select columns ?select=column_a,column_b
Case-insensitive search ?column=ilike.*pattern*
Null test ?column=is.null or ?column=not.is.null
Ordering ?order=column.desc
Pagination ?limit=100&offset=200
Count ?select=count with Prefer: count=exact
Embedded relation ?select=table(column_a,column_b)

Provenance and limits

  • The decoder tables and functions are published through benthic.io from the official NHTSA/vPIC dataset.
  • Reference tables are synchronized from the vPIC API and published under /reference/.
  • The published decoder data is a snapshot; some current vPIC API responses may differ.
  • Plant records without a stable DOT code are omitted from the reference tables.
  • NHTSA/vPIC data is a U.S. government work; check the NHTSA site for applicable terms and attribution requirements.

The signed BDP manifest and collection describe the published schema and provenance.