Official sources only
DrivewayWalk live-fetches or links these URLs. We do not use Carfax, AutoCheck, paid VINCheck APIs, Reddit, or SEO blogs as facts. IIHS and state MVD sites are link-outs — we do not scrape them. Arizona MVD pages apply only when the walk’s sale state is Arizona.
1
NHTSA vPIC VIN decode
https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/
No API key. DecodeVinValues returns year, make, model, body, engine, fuel, plant.
2
NHTSA recalls by year/make/model
https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis
GET recallsByVehicle only. Campaign-level for the model — not proof this VIN still has an open recall. We do not call /safetyIssues (it returned the wrong vehicles). VIN-specific unrepaired-recall APIs returned 403. NHTSA’s API is not for bulk VIN lookups; we cache 24h per VIN and fetch only for the walk in progress.
3
NHTSA VIN recall lookup
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
The this-VIN confirmation. Deep-link with the VIN. Never claim “no open recalls” without a result from this page.
4
NHTSA complaints by vehicle
https://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle
Consumer complaints, not findings. We show top components and crash/fire/injury counts.
5
NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
https://api.nhtsa.gov/SafetyRatings/
Lookup by year/make/model, then VehicleId. Empty if NHTSA has no rating row.
6
EPA / DOE fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov)
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/
Accept: application/json. No VIN→MPG. Match year/make/model plus displacement/drive/fuel from vPIC; if several trims remain, show the combined-MPG range.
7
FTC Used Car Rule
https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/used-car-rule
16 C.F.R. § 455.1 — typically five or more used vehicles. Private-party sales do not require the window Buyers Guide. Arizona’s dealer count (4) is cited only when the sale state is Arizona.
8
FTC Buyers Guide
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/buyers-guide
As-Is vs warranty language for dealer lots.
9
FTC — buying a used car
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-used-car
Consumer used-car page. Federal next steps on every report.
10
NMVTIS consumer access (vehiclehistory.gov)
https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/
Link-out only. Not a Carfax substitute. Not a DrivewayWalk lookup.
11
Arizona MVD — buying a vehicle
https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/registration-plates-title/buying-vehicle
Title within 15 days (A.R.S. § 28-2058). Flood red flags on this page are encoded as photo checks.
12
AZMVDNow Title Viewer
https://azmvdnow.gov
Liens and whatever brand the title actually shows. Link out only. We do not scrape and we do not invent an ADOT brand-code list.
13
ADOT salvage vehicle FAQs
https://azdot.gov/salvage-vehicles/faqs
Background on salvage titles in Arizona.
14
ADOT — should I let the buyer know?
https://azdot.gov/faq/should-i-let-buyer-know
A.R.S. § 28-2091 salvage disclosure before sale. Restored salvage: § 28-2095. Flood/water is a salvage reason, not a separate brand table.
15
NHTSA — hurricane- and flood-damaged vehicles
https://www.nhtsa.gov/hurricane-and-flood-damaged-vehicles
Waterlines in trunk / glove box / under dash; air freshener masking mildew. Clean-title flood cars exist.
16
A.R.S. § 28-2058 (title and odometer)
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/02058.htm
Buyer presents title in 15 days. Odometer disclosure exemptions in subsection B: 10 model years if MY 2010 or older; 20 if MY 2011 or newer.
17
A.R.S. § 28-2091 (salvage disclosure)
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/02091.htm
Seller of a salvage-titled vehicle must disclose before sale.
18
A.R.S. § 28-2095 (restored salvage)
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/02095.htm
Restored salvage disclosure.
19
A.R.S. § 44-1261 (used-motor-vehicle dealer)
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/44/01261.htm
Four or more used vehicles in the previous 12 months. Stricter than FTC’s five.
20
A.R.S. § 44-1267 (dealer implied warranty)
https://www.azleg.gov/ars/44/01267.htm
Licensed used dealer: 15 days or 500 miles. Do not apply to a private used sale.
21
ADEQ emissions / station locator
https://azdeq.gov/emissions
Area A/B locator. Link only — we do not scrape ADEQ or myAZcar.
22
NHTSA TireWise
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/tires
DOT TIN date (49 CFR 574.5). Tread often discussed as 2/32 in. Makers often recommend replacement at 6–10 years. Not a legal expiration. We do not invent a state 2/32 statute.
23
myAZcar emissions
https://www.myazcar.com/
Arizona ADEQ Area B when the sale state is Arizona. Five-year / 1966 / electric exemptions. CEL cannot pass. Link only — we do not scrape.
24
IIHS ratings
https://www.iihs.org/ratings
Link only. NHTSA stars and IIHS G/A/M/P are different tests. A 2012 Good is not a 2026 Good. We do not scrape IIHS.