# Autotrader API: Search cars

> Searches Autotrader car listings near a US ZIP code by make and model, with condition, price, year and distance filters. Returns up to 100 listings in site order.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Autotrader.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/autotrader.com/search-cars
- Method: `autotrader.com/search_cars`, version 1
- Website: autotrader.com
- Returns: year, make, model, trim, price, mileage, color, seller, distance, deal rating, photo, listing link, VIN
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | yes | `"Honda Civic"` | Car make and model, for example Toyota Camry. |
| `max_year` | integer | no | `2023` | Newest model year, for example 2024. |
| `min_year` | integer | no | `2018` | Oldest model year, for example 2018. |
| `zip_code` | string | yes | `"10001"` | Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 30301. |
| `condition` | string | no | `"used"` | Car condition, for example used; any includes all conditions. One of "any", "new", "used", "certified". Default "any". |
| `max_price` | number | no | `20000` | Highest asking price in USD, for example 25000. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `30` | Maximum listings to return, for example 25; at most 100. Default 25. |
| `radius_miles` | integer | no | `25` | Search radius in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50. Default 50. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 31, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "car": "Honda Civic",
  "max_year": 2023,
  "min_year": 2018,
  "zip_code": "10001",
  "condition": "used",
  "max_price": 20000,
  "max_results": 30,
  "radius_miles": 25
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "listings": [
    {
      "vin": "2HGFC2F74JH590042",
      "make": "Honda",
      "trim": "EX",
      "year": 2018,
      "model": "Civic",
      "price": 14012,
      "mileage": 111263,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://images.autotrader.com/hn/c/4f61747ff8a24ce8a397e8356bf8a01c.jpg",
      "deal_rating": "Great Price",
      "seller_name": "Paul Miller BMW",
      "listing_link": "https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/786601417?endYear=2023&listingType=USED&makeCode=HONDA&maxPrice=20000&modelCode=CIVIC&newSearch=false&startYear=2018&zip=10001",
      "distance_miles": 19.3,
      "exterior_color": "Aegean Blue Metallic"
    },
    {
      "vin": "SHHFK7H59JU412674",
      "make": "Honda",
      "trim": "EX",
      "year": 2018,
      "model": "Civic",
      "price": 19012,
      "mileage": 45654,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://images.autotrader.com/hn/c/49c5556c75884a1e8ec7de3512fa7a70.jpg",
      "deal_rating": "Great Price",
      "seller_name": "Paul Miller BMW",
      "listing_link": "https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/785227846?endYear=2023&listingType=USED&makeCode=HONDA&maxPrice=20000&modelCode=CIVIC&newSearch=false&startYear=2018&zip=10001",
      "distance_miles": 19.3,
      "exterior_color": "White"
    },
    {
      "vin": "2HGFC2F67LH564450",
      "make": "Honda",
      "trim": "LX",
      "year": 2020,
      "model": "Civic",
      "price": 17995,
      "mileage": 36397,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://images.autotrader.com/hn/c/3a210fafe785438ea1bd10e6f72b9c48.jpg",
      "deal_rating": "Great Price",
      "seller_name": "Advantage Toyota",
      "listing_link": "https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/787634274?endYear=2023&listingType=USED&makeCode=HONDA&maxPrice=20000&modelCode=CIVIC&newSearch=false&startYear=2018&zip=10001",
      "distance_miles": 15.85,
      "exterior_color": "Cosmic Blue Metallic"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"autotrader.com/search_cars","input":{"car":"Honda Civic","max_year":2023,"min_year":2018,"zip_code":"10001","condition":"used","max_price":20000,"max_results":30,"radius_miles":25}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- Find used Honda Civics within 30 miles of 94110, model years 2019 to 2022, under $20,000
- Show me certified pre-owned Subaru Outbacks near ZIP 80202, 2020 or newer, max price 32000
- On autotrader.com, pull up to 50 Ford F-150 listings around 75201 within 100 miles, any condition
- I need a cheap Mazda CX-5 near 02139 — used, 2017-2021, under $18k. List mileage, deal rating and VIN for each
- Search Autotrader for new 2024 Toyota RAV4s within 25 miles of 60614 and give me the top 10 with prices and dealers

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "car",
    "zip_code"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "car": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Car make and model, for example Toyota Camry."
    },
    "max_year": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1900,
      "description": "Newest model year, for example 2024."
    },
    "min_year": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1900,
      "description": "Oldest model year, for example 2018."
    },
    "zip_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "maxLength": 5,
      "minLength": 5,
      "description": "Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 30301."
    },
    "condition": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "new",
        "used",
        "certified"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Car condition, for example used; any includes all conditions."
    },
    "max_price": {
      "type": "number",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Highest asking price in USD, for example 25000."
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 25,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum listings to return, for example 25; at most 100."
    },
    "radius_miles": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 50,
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Search radius in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "listings"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "listings": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "year",
          "make",
          "model",
          "trim",
          "price",
          "currency",
          "mileage",
          "exterior_color",
          "seller_name",
          "distance_miles",
          "deal_rating",
          "photo_link",
          "listing_link",
          "vin"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "vin": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Vehicle identification number."
          },
          "make": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Vehicle make."
          },
          "trim": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Trim name."
          },
          "year": {
            "type": [
              "integer",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Model year."
          },
          "model": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Vehicle model."
          },
          "price": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Asking price in USD."
          },
          "mileage": {
            "type": [
              "integer",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Odometer mileage in miles."
          },
          "currency": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "Price currency, USD."
          },
          "photo_link": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Primary car photo link."
          },
          "deal_rating": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Shown price rating, such as Good Price."
          },
          "seller_name": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Dealer or seller name."
          },
          "listing_link": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "Autotrader vehicle listing page link."
          },
          "distance_miles": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Distance from ZIP code in miles."
          },
          "exterior_color": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Exterior color."
          }
        },
        "additionalProperties": false
      },
      "description": "Car listings in Autotrader order."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## See more

- [Cars.com API: Search listings](https://fous.com/methods/cars.com/search-cars.md): Searches Cars.com car listings for a make and model around a US ZIP code within a radius, optionally by condition (new, used or certified pre-owned) and maximum price, in Cars.com search order.
- [CarGurus API: Search cars for sale](https://fous.com/methods/cargurus.com/search-cars.md): Searches new and used cars for sale near a US ZIP code for a make and model, with prices, dealer details and CarGurus deal ratings. Used cars come first, then new cars, each in CarGurus order; market difference is positive below market and negative above.
- [CARFAX API: Search used cars](https://fous.com/methods/carfax.com/search-cars.md): Searches CARFAX used-car listings for a make and model near a US ZIP code, in CARFAX order, with listing details and free vehicle-history highlights. Paid full history reports are not included.
- [CarMax API: Search used cars](https://fous.com/methods/carmax.com/search-cars.md): Searches CarMax used cars by make and model with optional ZIP, distance, year, price and mileage filters, keeping CarMax's order. Pages expose only the first 48 cars; distance is CarMax's distance from the selected local store, and larger limits or narrow distance filters may return fewer matches.
- [Carvana API: Search used cars](https://fous.com/methods/carvana.com/search-cars.md): Searches Carvana's used-car inventory by make and model, with optional price, year, mileage and ZIP filters, and returns each car's price, estimated monthly payment, mileage and delivery or pickup estimate for the ZIP.
- [mobile.de API: Search cars](https://fous.com/methods/mobile.de/search-cars.md): Searches mobile.de car listings by make and model, with optional registration year, price, mileage, fuel, condition and sorting. Returns up to 50 listings in marketplace order; fields not shown on a listing are null.
- [AutoZone API: Search parts for a vehicle](https://fous.com/methods/autozone.com/search-parts.md): Finds AutoZone parts listed for a vehicle (year, make, model, optional engine), with prices, warranties and fit notes. Listings are filtered by year, make and model; engine fit often needs further confirmation.
- [OfferUp API: Search listings](https://fous.com/methods/offerup.com/search-listings.md): Finds OfferUp items for sale near a US city or ZIP code, with prices, condition, seller names, distance and links. Distances use approximate listing locations.