Developer API

How to look up a UK vehicle by registration with the DealerPricing API

Updated 3 September 2026 · 2 min read · by DealerPricing

Create a developer account, generate an API key, and POST the registration to /api/v1/vehicle/decode with the key in the X-API-Key header. The JSON response contains the decoded make, model, variant, engine, fuel, transmission and body. Sandbox keys work with test registrations for free; live calls cost from £0.06 to £0.16 each depending on your package.

Step by step

  1. Create a developer account and API key

    Sign up on the developer portal, then generate a key from the Keys page. Sandbox keys start with dp_sandbox_ and are free; live keys are billed per call.

    Developer signup →
    The DealerPricing developer portal landing page with an example API request
    The DealerPricing developer portal landing page with an example API request

  2. Call the decode endpoint from the sandbox

    POST to https://www.dealerpricing.co.uk/api/v1/vehicle/decode with a JSON body of { "vrm": "SA67DVL" } and your key in the X-API-Key header. Sandbox keys accept SA67DVL, M123TAP, or any registration containing the letter A.

    The API documentation listing the vehicle, market and pricing endpoints
    The API documentation listing the vehicle, market and pricing endpoints

  3. Add the endpoints you need

    Tax and MOT status, valuation, specification, provenance check, active and sold listings, and market and pricing insights all use the same POST pattern and the same key.

    API documentation →

  4. Switch to a live key

    Live calls are billed per request. Pay as you go has no monthly fee; Starter, Pro and Enterprise packages lower the per-call price.

    API pricing →

What you’ll see

  • Decoded make, model, variant, engine size, fuel, transmission and body style
  • Tax status, MOT status and MOT history from the tax-mot endpoint
  • Trade and retail valuations and full specification
  • Provenance checks: stolen, finance, write-off, import, export, keepers and plates
  • Live and sold market listings and days-to-sell insights

Ready to try it?

Pay as you go with no monthly fee, or packages from £99/month. Sandbox keys are free.

Get an API key →

Frequently asked questions

How much does the API cost?

Per call. On pay as you go, tax and MOT is £0.05, vehicle decode £0.16, valuation £0.25, specification £0.22 and a full provenance check £2.99. Packages from £99 a month cut those rates, down to £0.02 for tax and MOT and £2.20 per provenance check on Enterprise.

What are the rate limits?

The Starter plan allows 10 requests per second, 600 per minute and 50,000 per day. Higher packages raise the limits; contact support for enterprise volumes.

Is there a free tier for testing?

Yes. Sandbox keys are free and return realistic responses for the test registrations, so you can build and test your integration before spending anything.

Where does the data come from?

DVLA and DVSA for registration, tax and MOT data; the Police National Computer, MIAFTR and finance registers for provenance; and DealerPricing’s own index of live and sold UK dealer listings for market data.