API Tool -- How to use

Table of Contents

Documentation Overview

The documentation page will cover: Application features Availavle end points and how to use them

Work in progress -- Last updated 2026-02-28

Indexed (local) by VRM

Search our local high-speed database for vehicle records using the VRM. This is optimized for low latency. Data source: DVSA Bulk Data. The data is maintained via the Delta files supplied daily by the DVSA. It can be used via "Indexed (local) by VRM" or via "Batch upload". Although the Indexed data does not currently include all data sources for Test History, it is offline data and will always be available (This endpoint will persist if the live endpoints are down). Test data is a day behind the live endpoints.

Custom DB lookup This endpoint utilises the Local maintained bulk dataset. Simply enter a registration to return results. Also available in the Batch Upload tool. Outputs are tabulised and in JSON for the single search. Batch upload will offer a single line overview without the induvidual test data.

Live lookup by VRM (MOT)

Performs a real-time fetch from the MOT History API by Registation. Live data, Test data should appear within minutes of being completed the test centre.

GET /api/v1/live/mot/vrm/{vrm} This endpoint utilises the DVSA Live Registration endpoint. Simply enter a registration to return results. Also available in the Batch Upload tool. Outputs are tabulised and in JSON for the single search. Batch upload will offer a single line overview without the induvidual test data.

Live lookup by VIN (MOT)

Performs a real-time fetch from the MOT History API by VIN. Live data, Test data should appear within minutes of being completed the test centre.

GET /v1/trade/vehicles/vin/{vin} This endpoint utilises the DVSA Live VIN endpoint. Simply enter a VIN to return results. Also available in the Batch Upload tool. Outputs are tabulised and in JSON for the single search. Batch upload will offer a single line overview without the induvidual test data.

DVLA VES

Access the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service for tax status, CO2 emissions, and basic vehicle registration details.

POST https://driver-vehicle-licensing.api.gov.uk/vehicle-enquiry/v1/vehicles

Batch upload

Upload a CSV or TXT file containing multiple VRMs to process lookups in bulk. Results are generated asynchronously.

Benchmark data: Ryzen 7 Server indexed (no VES): 2155 Records Progress: 100.0% (2155/2155) | RPS: 104.4 (Avg: 104.4) Elapsed: 00:00:20 | Response: 31ms (Avg: 38ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 indexed (with VES merged):2155 Records Progress: 100.0% (2155/2155) | RPS: 10.0 (Avg: 8.4) Elapsed: 00:04:16 | Response: 415ms (Avg: 476ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 Note: average RPS is/maybe lower than 10 due to retry logic on failed requests Live VRM API Endpoint (no VES) Progress: 100.0% (2155/2155) | RPS: 6.0 (Avg: 6.2) Elapsed: 00:05:45 | Response: 954ms (Avg: 639ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 Live VRM API Endpoint (with VES merged) Progress: 100.0% (2155/2155) | RPS: 4.8 (Avg: 4.2) Elapsed: 00:08:35 | Response: 729ms (Avg: 955ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 Live VIN API Endpoint (no VES) Progress: 100.0% (2142/2142) | RPS: 6.2 (Avg: 6.1) Elapsed: 00:05:49 | Response: 845ms (Avg: 651ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 200: 2125 502: 17 Live VIN API Endpoint (with VES merged) Progress: 100.0% (2142/2142) | RPS: 4.6 (Avg: 4.1) Elapsed: 00:08:36 | Response: 1074ms (Avg: 963ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 200: 2125 502: 17 VES API Endpoint Progress: 100.0% (2155/2155) | RPS: 4.6 (Avg: 8.4) Elapsed: 00:04:16 | Response: 50634ms (Avg: 472ms) | ETA: 00:00:00 200: 2154 502: 1 Notes: Average RPS maybe lower than the above figures due to retry logic on failed requests and exponential backoff DVSA and DVLA VRM (Registation) API Endpoints and Indexed Database search are using the same 2155 Records DVSA VIN endpoint is using a different set of records for diverity in results

Data Export

Export Bulk or Delta files provided by the DVSA API: - CSV will produce one row of data for all vehicle records - TXT file will produce one registration per line

Only working for VRM/Registration. VIN option will be removed as the DVSA do not provide VIN in any of the data. Exporting delta files should only take a few seconds/minutes. The bulk file will take over two hours to process and may fail to produce a readable file. Exporting the bulk file will likely be removed in a future release.

Vehicle record

A comprehensive view of a single vehicle, combining local data, MOT history, and DVLA specifications.

By default VES data will be merged with DVSA records -- Check the tick box in each section to omit VES records being merged

Test data (full details + defects)

Detailed breakdown of specific MOT tests, including advisory items and major/dangerous defects.

Tabulised view of the JSON Test Data returned by the DB/API endpoints. Includes milage increase between tests. bug: cannot be calculated if the units change between tests (MI/KM)

Compare

Compare two vehicle records side-by-side to identify differences in specifications or history.

This function may likely be removed in a future release

JSON output

Any Single Endpoint search (Indexed, DVSA API or DVLA API) will return pretty (Human readable) or RAW (single line) response from the upstream data providers and the indexed data at the end of the page.

Structured in order of DVSA vehicle record > MOT/Annual Test Data > VES Data

ARM CPU 4x -- Low spec

Raspberry Pi4B, 4 core 1.5ghz, A1 U3 Storage, RPS (no VES): Indexed: RPS: 21.6 (Avg: 13.3) -- .

Progress: 100.0% (85700/85700) | RPS: 24.0 (Avg: 13.2) Elapsed: 01:48:25 | Response: 114ms (Avg: 289ms) | ETA: 00:00:00

ARM CPU 4x -- High spec

Raspberry Pi4B, 4 core 2.2ghz, A2 U3 Storage, RPS (no VES): Indexed: RPS: 33 Peak, (Avg: 14.6) -- .

Progress: 100.0% (85700/85700) | RPS: 28.4 (Avg: 14.9) Elapsed: 01:35:59 | Response: 68ms (Avg: 254ms) | ETA: 00:00:00

Backup Server

AMD EPYC

Benchmarks: 87795 Records (indexed, no VES): RPS: 20.6 (Avg: 14.1) - Elapsed: 01:41:18 - Response Time: (Avg:272ms) 2155 Records (indexed, no VES): RPS: 46.8 (Avg: 48.9) - Elapsed: 00:00:44 - Response Time: (Avg:81ms)

Ryzen 7 16 vCPU -- High Spec

Ryzen 7 5825U, 16 core 2.0-4.5ghz, NVMe Storage, (no VES): Indexed RPS 80+ Peak

Benchmarks: 87795 Records (indexed, no VES): RPS: 32.0 (Avg: 32.3) - Elapsed: 00:45:21 - Response Time: (Avg:108ms) 2155 Records (indexed, no VES): RPS: 97.8 (Avg: 98.3) - Elapsed: 00:00:21 - Response Time: (Avg:40ms)