AutoTrader Parser API Reference

Complete API documentation with detailed endpoints, parameters, response formats, and code examples for extracting UK automotive data.

What You'll Get

Complete endpoint documentation with all parameters and options
Multiple code examples in JavaScript, Python, and cURL
Error handling guides with common issues and solutions
Rate limiting information for all subscription plans
Real-world examples for common use cases

AutoTrader API

🔐 Authentication

All API requests require authentication using your API key in the Authorization header.

:::

API Reference

info API Key Format

Your API key will look like this: autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef

Prefix: autotrader_parser_sk_
Length: 64 characters
Format: Hexadecimal string
Scope: AutoTrader parser access only :::

Authorization: Bearer autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef

📡 Base URL

https://api.carapis.com/v1/parsers/autotrader

🚀 Core Endpoints

Search Vehicle Listings

Search and filter vehicle listings from AutoTrader across UK markets.

Endpoint: POST /search

Key Features

UK market coverage across all regions and cities
Advanced filtering by make, model, price, location
Flexible pagination with customizable limits
Comprehensive data fields including pricing and specifications
Real-time extraction with 99.9% success rate

Request Parameters

{
  "query": "string",
  "year_from": "number",
  "year_to": "number",
  "price_min": "number",
  "price_max": "number",
  "fuel_type": "string",
  "transmission": "string",
  "body_type": "string",
  "location": "string",
  "mileage_max": "number",
  "limit": "number",
  "page": "number"
}

Search Parameters

Search Options

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
`query`	string	Search query (make, model, keywords)	"BMW X5", "Mercedes C-Class"
`year_from`	number	Minimum year	2018
`year_to`	number	Maximum year	2023
`price_min`	number	Minimum price (GBP)	30000
`price_max`	number	Maximum price (GBP)	80000
`fuel_type`	string	Fuel type	"diesel", "petrol", "hybrid", "electric"
`transmission`	string	Transmission type	"automatic", "manual"
`body_type`	string	Body type	"suv", "saloon", "hatchback", "estate"
`location`	string	City or region	"London", "Manchester", "Birmingham"
`mileage_max`	number	Maximum mileage (miles)	50000
`limit`	number	Results per page (1-100)	50
`page`	number	Page number	1

Response Format

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "listings": [
      {
        "id": "string",
        "title": "string",
        "price": {
          "amount": "number",
          "currency": "string",
          "formatted": "string"
        },
        "specifications": {
          "year": "number",
          "mileage": "number",
          "fuel_type": "string",
          "transmission": "string",
          "engine_size": "string",
          "power": "string"
        },
        "location": {
          "city": "string",
          "region": "string",
          "country": "string",
          "coordinates": {
            "lat": "number",
            "lng": "number"
          }
        },
        "seller": {
          "name": "string",
          "rating": "number",
          "certified": "boolean"
        },
        "features": ["string"],
        "images": ["string"],
        "url": "string",
        "extracted_at": "string"
      }
    ],
    "total_count": "number",
    "search_metadata": {
      "query": "string",
      "filters_applied": "object"
    }
  }
}

Example Request

curl -X POST "https://api.carapis.com/v1/parsers/autotrader/search" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "BMW X5 2020",
    "max_price": 50000,
    "fuel_type": "diesel",
    "location": "London"
  }'

Extract Vehicle Details

Get detailed information for a specific vehicle listing.

Endpoint: GET /extract/\{vehicle_id\}

Detailed Extraction

Complete vehicle specifications with all available data
High-resolution images and media content
Dealer information with contact details
Price history and market analysis
Vehicle history and condition reports

Request Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`vehicle_id`	string	AutoTrader vehicle ID

Response Format

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "vehicle": {
      "id": "string",
      "title": "string",
      "description": "string",
      "price": {
        "amount": "number",
        "currency": "string",
        "formatted": "string",
        "negotiable": "boolean",
        "price_history": [
          {
            "date": "string",
            "amount": "number"
          }
        ]
      },
      "specifications": {
        "make": "string",
        "model": "string",
        "year": "number",
        "trim": "string",
        "engine": "string",
        "transmission": "string",
        "mileage": "number",
        "fuel_type": "string",
        "body_type": "string",
        "color": "string",
        "power": "string",
        "torque": "string",
        "consumption": "string"
      },
      "features": ["string"],
      "images": [
        {
          "url": "string",
          "alt": "string",
          "type": "string"
        }
      ],
      "seller": {
        "name": "string",
        "rating": "number",
        "reviews": "number",
        "certified": "boolean",
        "phone": "string",
        "email": "string",
        "address": "string",
        "website": "string"
      },
      "location": {
        "city": "string",
        "region": "string",
        "country": "string",
        "coordinates": {
          "lat": "number",
          "lng": "number"
        }
      },
      "history": {
        "accident_free": "boolean",
        "owners": "number",
        "service_history": "boolean",
        "warranty": "string"
      },
      "url": "string",
      "extracted_at": "string"
    }
  }
}

Get Market Statistics

Retrieve market statistics and insights for specific criteria.

Endpoint: POST /statistics

Market Insights

Price distribution analysis across different segments
Market share data for brands and models
Trend analysis for pricing and demand patterns
Regional market analysis for UK regions
Seasonal patterns and market fluctuations

Request Parameters

{
  "make": "string",
  "model": "string",
  "year_from": "number",
  "year_to": "number",
  "metrics": ["string"]
}

Available Metrics

price_distribution - Price range distribution
market_share - Brand/model market share
trends - Price and demand trends
regional_analysis - Regional market analysis
seasonal_patterns - Seasonal market patterns

Response Format

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "statistics": {
      "total_listings": "number",
      "average_price": "number",
      "price_range": {
        "min": "number",
        "max": "number",
        "median": "number"
      },
      "market_share": [
        {
          "brand": "string",
          "percentage": "number",
          "count": "number"
        }
      ],
      "trends": {
        "price_trend": "string",
        "demand_trend": "string",
        "inventory_trend": "string"
      }
    },
    "metadata": {
      "generated_at": "string",
      "data_freshness": "string"
    }
  }
}

Search Dealers

Search for dealer information and inventory.

Endpoint: POST /dealers/search

Dealer Data

Comprehensive dealer profiles with ratings and verification
Inventory counts and specialization information
Contact details and website information
Geographic filtering by city and region
Brand specialization data

Request Parameters

{
  "city": "string",
  "region": "string",
  "brand": "string",
  "rating_min": "number",
  "limit": "number"
}

Response Format

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "dealers": [
      {
        "id": "string",
        "name": "string",
        "city": "string",
        "region": "string",
        "rating": "number",
        "reviews": "number",
        "certified": "boolean",
        "phone": "string",
        "website": "string",
        "inventory_count": "number",
        "specialties": ["string"]
      }
    ],
    "pagination": {
      "total": "number",
      "page": "number",
      "per_page": "number"
    }
  }
}

🔧 Advanced Endpoints

Batch Search

Search for multiple criteria in a single request.

Endpoint: POST /batch-search

Batch Processing Benefits

Efficient processing of multiple searches
Reduced API calls for complex workflows
Concurrent execution with configurable limits
Cost optimization for large-scale operations

Request Parameters

{
  "searches": [
    {
      "query": "string",
      "filters": "object"
    }
  ],
  "batch_options": {
    "concurrent": "number",
    "delay": "number"
  }
}

Real-time Monitoring

Set up real-time monitoring for specific criteria.

Endpoint: POST /monitor

Monitoring Requirements

Webhook URL must be publicly accessible
HTTPS required for security
Rate limiting applies to webhook calls
Monitoring limits based on subscription plan

Request Parameters

{
  "query": "string",
  "webhook_url": "string",
  "conditions": {
    "price_change": "number",
    "new_listings": "boolean",
    "inventory_change": "number"
  }
}

📊 Response Codes

HTTP Status Codes

Code	Description	Action Required
200	Success	None - data returned successfully
400	Bad Request - Invalid parameters	Check request format and parameters
401	Unauthorized - Invalid API key	Verify API key and permissions
403	Forbidden - Insufficient permissions	Upgrade subscription or contact support
429	Too Many Requests - Rate limit exceeded	Wait or implement exponential backoff
500	Internal Server Error	Retry or contact support
503	Service Unavailable	Check service status and retry

⚡ Rate Limits

Subscription Limits

Plan	Requests per Minute	Requests per Hour	Concurrent Requests
Free	10	100	2
Basic	60	1,000	5
Pro	300	10,000	20
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	Custom

🔍 Error Handling

Error Response Format

{
  "success": false,
  "error": {
    "code": "string",
    "message": "string",
    "details": "object"
  }
}

Common Error Codes

Common Issues

Code	Description	Solution
`INVALID_API_KEY`	API key is invalid or expired	Check key format and validity
`RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED`	Rate limit exceeded	Wait or upgrade subscription plan
`INVALID_PARAMETERS`	Invalid request parameters	Check parameter syntax and values
`EXTRACTION_FAILED`	Data extraction failed	Retry or contact technical support
`UK_MARKET_ONLY`	UK market access only	Use UK-specific parameters

📝 Code Examples

JavaScript

const axios = require('axios');

const apiKey = 'autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef';
const baseURL = 'https://api.carapis.com/v1/parsers/autotrader';

// Search vehicles with error handling
async function searchVehicles() {
  try {
    const response = await axios.post(
      `$\{baseURL\}/search`,
      {
        query: 'BMW X5 2020',
        max_price: 50000,
        fuel_type: 'diesel',
      },
      {
        headers: {
          Authorization: `Bearer $\{apiKey\}`,
          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        },
      },
    );

    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error:', error.response?.data || error.message);
    throw error;
  }
}

// Get market statistics
async function getMarketStats() {
  try {
    const response = await axios.post(
      `$\{baseURL\}/statistics`,
      {
        make: 'BMW',
        metrics: ['price_distribution', 'market_share'],
      },
      {
        headers: {
          Authorization: `Bearer $\{apiKey\}`,
          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        },
      },
    );

    return response.data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error:', error.response?.data || error.message);
    throw error;
  }
}

Python

import requests
import time

api_key = 'autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef'
base_url = 'https://api.carapis.com/v1/parsers/autotrader'

def search_vehicles():
    headers = {
        'Authorization': f'Bearer \{api_key\}',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    }

    data = {
        'query': 'BMW X5 2020',
        'max_price': 50000,
        'fuel_type': 'diesel'
    }

    try:
        response = requests.post(f'\{base_url\}/search',
                               json=data, headers=headers)
        response.raise_for_status()
        return response.json()
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        print(f'Error: \{e\}')
        return None

def get_market_statistics():
    headers = {
        'Authorization': f'Bearer \{api_key\}',
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    }

    data = {
        'make': 'BMW',
        'metrics': ['price_distribution', 'market_share']
    }

    try:
        response = requests.post(f'\{base_url\}/statistics',
                               json=data, headers=headers)
        response.raise_for_status()
        return response.json()
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        print(f'Error: \{e\}')
        return None

# Rate limiting helper
def safe_request(func, max_retries=3):
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        try:
            return func()
        except requests.exceptions.HTTPError as e:
            if e.response.status_code == 429:
                wait_time = 2 ** attempt
                print(f'Rate limited, waiting \{wait_time\} seconds...')
                time.sleep(wait_time)
            else:
                raise e
    return None

cURL

#!/bin/bash

API_KEY="autotrader_parser_sk_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef"
BASE_URL="https://api.carapis.com/v1/parsers/autotrader"

# Search vehicles
search_vehicles() {
    curl -X POST "$\{BASE_URL\}/search" \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer $\{API_KEY\}" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{
            "query": "BMW X5 2020",
            "max_price": 50000,
            "fuel_type": "diesel"
        }'
}

# Get market statistics
get_statistics() {
    curl -X POST "$\{BASE_URL\}/statistics" \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer $\{API_KEY\}" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{
            "make": "BMW",
            "metrics": ["price_distribution", "market_share"]
        }'
}

# Extract vehicle details
get_vehicle_details() {
    local vehicle_id=$1
    curl -X GET "$\{BASE_URL\}/extract/$\{vehicle_id\}" \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer $\{API_KEY\}"
}

🔗 SDKs and Libraries

Official SDKs

JavaScript/Node.js: @carapis/autotrader-parser
Python: carapis-autotrader-parser
PHP: carapis/autotrader-parser
Java: com.carapis:autotrader-parser
C#: Carapis.AutoTraderParser

Community Libraries

Ruby: carapis-autotrader-parser
Go: github.com/carapis/autotrader-parser
Rust: carapis-autotrader-parser

📞 Support & Resources

Get Help

Documentation - Complete API documentation
Support - Technical assistance and troubleshooting
Status - Real-time API status and uptime
Community - Connect with other developers
Examples - Code examples and tutorials

🚀 Next Steps

Ready to Start?

Get Your API Key - Sign up and get started
Quick Start Guide - First API call in minutes
Market Analysis - Understand UK market
FAQ - Common questions and solutions

Start extracting UK automotive data with our comprehensive AutoTrader parser API. Get real-time access to vehicle listings, market statistics, and dealer information across the UK.

Get Started Now →

🔐 Authentication​

📡 Base URL​

🚀 Core Endpoints​

Search Vehicle Listings​

Request Parameters​

Search Parameters​

Response Format​

Example Request​

Extract Vehicle Details​

Request Parameters​

Response Format​

Get Market Statistics​

Request Parameters​

Available Metrics​

Response Format​

Search Dealers​

Request Parameters​

Response Format​

🔧 Advanced Endpoints​

Batch Search​

Request Parameters​

Real-time Monitoring​

Request Parameters​

📊 Response Codes​

⚡ Rate Limits​

🔍 Error Handling​

Error Response Format​

Common Error Codes​

📝 Code Examples​

JavaScript​

Python​

cURL​

🔗 SDKs and Libraries​

📞 Support & Resources​

🚀 Next Steps​

🔐 Authentication

📡 Base URL

🚀 Core Endpoints

Search Vehicle Listings

Request Parameters

Search Parameters

Response Format

Example Request

Extract Vehicle Details

Request Parameters

Response Format

Get Market Statistics

Request Parameters

Available Metrics

Response Format

Search Dealers

Request Parameters

Response Format

🔧 Advanced Endpoints

Batch Search

Request Parameters

Real-time Monitoring

Request Parameters

📊 Response Codes

⚡ Rate Limits

🔍 Error Handling

Error Response Format

Common Error Codes

📝 Code Examples

JavaScript

Python

cURL

🔗 SDKs and Libraries

📞 Support & Resources

🚀 Next Steps