Hi everyone,
I'm working on a project and I'd like to know if anyone knows where I can get a hold of a database (prefer a freebie if possible) that contains VIN's for used cars that can be downloaded and stored on a local machine.

Currently using the MSACCESS Database Environment
(but would take a MySQL version if the Access ver. is not available)

Regards,

Wiz

All I can think of is try Hemmings. You should be able to find it at a newsstand.

sorry it so long to thank you for your reply
wiz

Did you ever get a good source of VIN data? I'm looking for the same thing. The closest I have found is a DLL from www.vinpower.com, but I don't know the price, maybe expensive.

Sorry,
I've been busy, so I have not had the chance.

Currently, I am using the on-line resource from http://dataonesoftware.com/

It's good, but I find that the way they handle options that are returned is a little awkward.

Here are some other services I am looking at.
http://www.walkthelot.com/desklot/fr...lt.asp?rid=sfc
http://www.walkthelot.com/desklot/VI...ng.asp?rid=sfc
http://www.vinpower.com/vindecoder_dll.shtml
http://vintek.com/

regards,
wiz

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know if I find a standalone data source.
Part of the problem, as you probably know, is that each manufacturer has their own system...

What about spidering one of the online car databases, such as www.autobase.com, then parsing the returned VIN numbers and descriptions?
(Check the site's Terms of Service first, of course)

A program such as Teleport Pro from http://www.tenmax.com/teleport/pro/home.htm can pull in thousands of car descriptions, then one could use Perl, etc. to create a flat data file, then pull it into Access or MySQL to remove duplicates...

Hi,
I never found a 'freebie' database that had all of the VIN numbers.

I talked with people at GM and got some information that allows for decoding a fair percentage of their automobiles. It is not comprehensive and you would need many of the 'fact' sheets to compile all of GM's line. Plus, Ford, Dodge etc employ different ways to get the information.

Depending upon the level of information you want to supply your client
http://www.vinlink.com/ is one of the better solutions that I have found that's even better than dataone.

I seriously considered, and would entertain the notion if I had mucho dinero and if I also had more time than I knew what to do with, creating a VIN decoding system.

It's really a massive undertaking and when you compare what it would take to do all domestic vehicles you would have significant R&D effort. It would take years to complete and years to recoup the expenses.

Some of these people have been working on their systems for 20+ years and the amount of data they have acquired is beyond staggering.

For simplicity sake, best to find a good decode company, bite the bullet and pay them. Reduces headaches and stress

Hope this helps.
wiz

I have used all the major VIN decoding services and software and have found the latest version of the DataOne decoder (v5 I think) to be superior to the others (including VIN Power). In short they excel at:

- service uptime.
- fantastic XML formatting (the features/options are listed much better now)
- quality of data. no holes and more details on vehicles than you could possibly imagine.
- support

Any questions we had while integrating the service were promptly answered by their support team (we worked with a girl there by the name of Jill, top notch).

Hope this helps!
~ Jamie C

On behalf of the company I'm working for, I personally have tested the following VIN decoders or web services currently available in United States and Canada:
Chrome (http://www.chrome.com)
DataOne Software (http://www.dataonesoftware.com)
R. L. Polk (http://www.polk.com)
VINPower/VINLink (http://www.vinpower.com or http://www.vinlink.com)
VINquery.com (http://www.vinquery.com)

Honestly, I love them all in terms of data quality. However, pricing models/levels varies.

Good lucks.