OCD

Getting Started

Follow these steps to start retrieving auction data from the API.

Choose Your Integration

  • REST API — For developers building applications. Continue reading below.
  • MCP Server — For AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor. Query auction data with natural language, no code required.

1. Sign Up

Create an account to access the API.

Sign Up / Sign In

2. Create an API Key

After signing up and subscribing to a plan, generate an API key in your profile settings.

Go to Profile

Keep your API key secure. Include it in all requests using the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

3. Find Available Makes

Query the /makes endpoint to get a list of all vehicle makes in the database. These names are normalized in our dataset — you need them for auction search. Calls to /makes and /models do not count toward your plan query limit. If you use MCP, call list_makes instead (also unmetered when used alone in an MCP request).

Request:

bash
curl "https://api.oldcarsdata.com/makes"

Response:

json
{
  "data": [
    "Toyota",
    "Ford",
    "Chevrolet",
    "BMW",
    "Mercedes-Benz"
  ]
}

4. Find Models for a Make

Use the /models endpoint with the exact make string from step 3. On MCP, use list_models with the same make string.

Request:

bash
curl "https://api.oldcarsdata.com/models?make=Toyota"

Response:

json
{
  "data": [
    "Land Cruiser",
    "Supra",
    "Celica",
    "Corolla"
  ]
}

5. Query Auction Data

Use the /auctions endpoint with the make and model values returned by /makes and /models — not arbitrary spellings or listing titles. Mismatched strings often return no results. On MCP, call search_auctions with the same canonical names from list_makes / list_models.

Request:

bash
curl "https://api.oldcarsdata.com/auctions?make=Toyota&model=Land+Cruiser&limit=10" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Response:

json
{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 12345,
      "source": "bringatrailer",
      "url": "https://bringatrailer.com/listing/...",
      "title": "1970 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40",
      "auction_status": "sold",
      "price": 45000,
      "auction_end_date": "2024-01-15",
      "mileage": 85000,
      "year": 1970,
      "listing_make": "Toyota",
      "listing_model": "Land Cruiser",
      "engine": "4.2L I6",
      "drivetrain": "4WD",
      "transmission": "Manual",
      "body_style": "SUV",
      "exterior_color": "Beige",
      "interior_color": "Brown"
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "total": 150,
    "page": 1,
    "limit": 10,
    "total_pages": 15
  }
}

Next Steps

You're ready to start building. Here's where to go from here:

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