A credit is how CarsXE counts API usage. Each API call spends a set number of credits. One credits balance works across every CarsXE API. Paid plans include credits, and you can buy extra credits in steps of 100.
Why credits. Customers often chain APIs, such as decoding a VIN and then pulling specs, value, history, or recalls. You spend that balance on the calls you actually make, and it is easy to try an API you have not used before.
Credits per API
| Credits | APIs |
|---|---|
| 1 | OBD, VIN OCR, YMM Options, Recalls by year, make, and model |
| 2 | Specs, YMM, Images, Plate Recognition, Bulk Recalls |
| 5 | US Plate Decoder, Intl VIN, Vehicle Recalls, Lien & Theft, International plate decoder |
| 5 per record | Ownership, Ownership VIN Batch |
| 25 | Market Value, History |
| 50 | One-Time Report |
Ownership costs 5 credits per record returned. Ownership VIN Batch costs 5 credits per record.
Failed or empty lookups don't use credits. See Validation errors and Data not found.
Credits per plan
These prices are for new Starter and Pro customers from November 1. Existing customers keep their current plans and prices.
| Plan | Price | Credits included | Extra credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $69/month or $690/year | 1,000 a month (annual: 12,000 up front) | $0.06 |
| Pro | $299/month or $2,990/year | 5,000 a month (annual: 60,000 up front) | $0.05 |
Annual is 10× the monthly price (2 months free). Monthly credits expire at the end of the month and do not roll over.
Annual Starter includes 12,000 credits and annual Pro includes 60,000. Those credits are granted at purchase and at each renewal.
Credit types
Extra credits. You buy extra credits in steps of 100: 100, 200, 300, and so on. Extra credits are 6¢ each on Starter and 5¢ each on Pro. They are valid for 12 months, and usable only with an active paid plan. Buy them at Billing → Credits.
Other plans
Legacy, Business, Enterprise and contract customers keep their current terms. Enterprise customers can choose credits at renewal.
How to check your balance
The balance is on Billing → Credits. That section shows the plan, the credits included with it, credits used, purchased credits, and Total credits remaining.
If your balance is low or empty, a notice at the top of the dashboard also shows how many credits you have left and links back to Billing.
Frequently asked questions
What a CarsXE credit is, how many credits each API and plan uses, how extra credits and expiry work, and where to see your balance.