# Cars.com API

> Cars.com returns car listings and dealer reviews, available as a workflow and API.

Cars.com search returns matching car listings in Cars.com search order; enter a make and model plus a five-digit US ZIP code. Cars.com dealer reviews returns dealership details, ratings, and recent customer reviews; enter the dealer name and a city and state or ZIP code.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/cars-com
- Handle: `@cars-com`
- Category: [Commerce](https://fous.com/tools/category/commerce)
- Source website: https://cars.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Get dealer reviews

Operation `get_dealer_reviews`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Find a dealership by name and city/state or ZIP and read its latest customer reviews. Dealer-wide category ratings and recommendation percentage are null when Cars.com does not show them.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `dealer` | string | yes | `"Toyota of Naperville"` | Dealership name, for example Toyota of Naperville. |
| `location` | string | yes | `"Naperville, IL"` | City and state or ZIP code, for example Naperville, IL or 60540. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Most recent reviews to return, for example 20; maximum 100. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "dealer",
    "location"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "dealer": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Dealership name, for example Toyota of Naperville.",
      "examples": [
        "Toyota of Naperville",
        "Select Auto Imports"
      ]
    },
    "location": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "City and state or ZIP code, for example Naperville, IL or 60540.",
      "examples": [
        "Naperville, IL",
        "Alexandria, VA",
        "60540"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Most recent reviews to return, for example 20; maximum 100.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        20,
        43,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
      "location": "Naperville, IL",
      "max_results": 20
    },
    {
      "dealer": "Select Auto Imports",
      "location": "Alexandria, VA",
      "max_results": 43
    },
    {
      "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
      "location": "60540",
      "max_results": 3
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `phone` | string or null | `"(866) 214-1877"` |  |
| `address` | string or null | `"1488 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540"` |  |
| `reviews` | array |  |  |
| `reviews[].date` | string or null | `"2026-09-28"` |  |
| `reviews[].text` | string or null | `"Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly helped me beyond what I could ever have expected from a dealers` |  |
| `reviews[].stars` | number or null | `5` |  |
| `reviews[].title` | string or null | `"Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly"` |  |
| `reviews[].page_link` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent"` |  |
| `reviews[].reviewer_name` | string or null | `"deblbowen"` |  |
| `reviews[].reason_for_visit` | string or null | `"Shopped for a used car"` |  |
| `dealer_name` | string | `"Toyota of Naperville"` |  |
| `review_count` | integer or null | `9970` |  |
| `overall_rating` | number or null | `4.9` |  |
| `dealer_page_link` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/"` |  |
| `facilities_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `recommend_percent` | number or null |  |  |
| `buying_process_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `customer_service_rating` | number or null |  |  |
| `quality_of_repair_rating` | number or null |  |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
  "location": "Naperville, IL",
  "max_results": 20
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "phone": "(866) 214-1877",
  "address": "1488 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540",
  "reviews": [
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "text": "Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly helped me beyond what I could ever have expected from a dealership, totally different from the other guys down the street! Much better, thanks K…",
      "stars": 5,
      "title": "Excellent customer service, follow up details and truly",
      "page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent",
      "reviewer_name": "deblbowen",
      "reason_for_visit": "Shopped for a used car"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "text": "Kyle provided excellent service helping us sort out a decision with purchasing our Toyota leased vehicle.  We really liked and appreciated his demeanor and knowledge.",
      "stars": 5,
      "title": "Kyle provided excellent service helping us sort out a",
      "page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/reviews/?page=1&page_size=40&sort_by=MostRecent",
      "reviewer_name": "John and Karen Varacello",
      "reason_for_visit": "Shopped for a used car"
    }
  ],
  "dealer_name": "Toyota of Naperville",
  "review_count": 9970,
  "overall_rating": 4.9,
  "dealer_page_link": "https://www.cars.com/dealers/614/toyota-of-naperville/",
  "facilities_rating": null,
  "recommend_percent": null,
  "buying_process_rating": null,
  "customer_service_rating": null,
  "quality_of_repair_rating": null
}
```

### Search cars

Operation `search_cars`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Search Cars.com car listings by make, model, and US ZIP code. Results follow Cars.com search order within the chosen radius; listing details may be missing when sellers do not provide them.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | yes | `"Toyota Camry"` | Make and model to search for, for example Ford F-150. |
| `zip_code` | string | yes | `"60601"` | Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 60601. |
| `condition` | string | no | `"any"` | Vehicle condition, for example used. Certified selects certified pre-owned cars. |
| `max_price` | integer | no | `30000` | Maximum listed price in USD; leave blank for no price cap, for example 25000. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Maximum number of listings to return, for example 20. |
| `radius_miles` | integer | no | `50` | Search distance in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "car",
    "zip_code"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "car": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Make and model to search for, for example Ford F-150.",
      "examples": [
        "Toyota Camry",
        "Ford F-150",
        "Honda Civic"
      ]
    },
    "zip_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[0-9]{5}$",
      "description": "Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 60601.",
      "examples": [
        "60601",
        "10001"
      ]
    },
    "condition": {
      "enum": [
        "any",
        "new",
        "used",
        "certified"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "any",
      "description": "Vehicle condition, for example used. Certified selects certified pre-owned cars.",
      "examples": [
        "any",
        "used",
        "certified"
      ]
    },
    "max_price": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Maximum listed price in USD; leave blank for no price cap, for example 25000.",
      "examples": [
        30000,
        100
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of listings to return, for example 20.",
      "examples": [
        20,
        30,
        5
      ]
    },
    "radius_miles": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 50,
      "maximum": 9999,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Search distance in miles from the ZIP code, for example 50.",
      "examples": [
        50,
        37,
        25
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "car": "Toyota Camry",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "any",
      "max_results": 20,
      "radius_miles": 50
    },
    {
      "car": "Ford F-150",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "used",
      "max_price": 30000,
      "max_results": 30,
      "radius_miles": 37
    },
    {
      "car": "Toyota Camry",
      "zip_code": "60601",
      "condition": "certified",
      "max_results": 5,
      "radius_miles": 50
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `listings` | array |  | Matching Cars.com listings in search order. |
| `listings[].vin` | string or null | `"4T1DBADK6TU549398"` | Vehicle identification number when shown. |
| `listings[].make` | string or null | `"Toyota"` | Vehicle make. |
| `listings[].trim` | string or null | `"SE"` | Vehicle trim. |
| `listings[].year` | integer or null | `2026` | Model year. |
| `listings[].model` | string or null | `"Camry"` | Vehicle model. |
| `listings[].condition` | string or null | `"used"` | New or used; certified cars are used. |
| `listings[].photo_url` | string or null | `"https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/8eeaf4e2-f1ce-5f40-8a55-8ae6bfec8a03/bae78213-25ee-4cf1-9bdf-0ee87859cc23/JLe` | Primary listing photo link. |
| `listings[].price_usd` | number or null | `34266` | Listed price in US dollars. |
| `listings[].deal_badge` | string or null | `"Good Deal"` | Deal badge when shown, such as Great Deal. |
| `listings[].dealer_name` | string or null | `"Advantage Toyota of River Oaks"` | Seller or dealer name. |
| `listings[].listing_url` | string | `"https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/ef43826f-ebac-46f7-8adc-81cb68e8f436/?attribution_type=premier&sid=c1ab4fdb-0aaa-43b` | Cars.com vehicle page link. |
| `listings[].dealer_rating` | number or null | `4.5` | Dealer review rating from 0 to 5. |
| `listings[].mileage_miles` | integer or null | `8157` | Odometer miles. |
| `listings[].distance_miles` | number or null | `20` | Listing distance from the search ZIP code in miles. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "car": "Toyota Camry",
  "zip_code": "60601",
  "condition": "any",
  "max_results": 20,
  "radius_miles": 50
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "listings": [
    {
      "vin": "4T1DBADK6TU549398",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "SE",
      "year": 2026,
      "model": "Camry",
      "condition": "used",
      "photo_url": "https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/8eeaf4e2-f1ce-5f40-8a55-8ae6bfec8a03/bae78213-25ee-4cf1-9bdf-0ee87859cc23/JLelN_J9eTnKwrtvEnT786pL4Fg.jpg",
      "price_usd": 34266,
      "deal_badge": "Good Deal",
      "dealer_name": "Advantage Toyota of River Oaks",
      "listing_url": "https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/ef43826f-ebac-46f7-8adc-81cb68e8f436/?attribution_type=premier&sid=c1ab4fdb-0aaa-43b5-975e-944267e85b18",
      "dealer_rating": 4.5,
      "mileage_miles": 8157,
      "distance_miles": 20
    },
    {
      "vin": "4T1G11AK9PU114370",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "SE",
      "year": 2023,
      "model": "Camry",
      "condition": "used",
      "photo_url": "https://platform.cstatic-images.com/in/v2/baa83bf2-615a-5782-8f46-da8aec98af98/3f4c7c91-cf1b-43f7-b445-9ace7bec240a/ih01h1OVfxzOtvRcntbiqCp5b8U.jpg",
      "price_usd": 21090,
      "deal_badge": "Good Deal",
      "dealer_name": "Volkswagen of Palatine",
      "listing_url": "https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/343369a4-4b67-4045-9eab-0dccb9b9ba38/?attribution_type=isa&sid=c1ab4fdb-0aaa-43b5-975e-944267e85b18",
      "dealer_rating": 3.8,
      "mileage_miles": 91362,
      "distance_miles": 22
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@cars-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_dealer_reviews",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
    "location": "Naperville, IL",
    "max_results": 20
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@cars-com\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_dealer_reviews\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"dealer\": \"Toyota of Naperville\",\n    \"location\": \"Naperville, IL\",\n    \"max_results\": 20\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@cars-com",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_dealer_reviews",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "dealer": "Toyota of Naperville",
    "location": "Naperville, IL",
    "max_results": 20
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/cars-com`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_dealer_reviews`: Get dealer reviews. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `search_cars`: Search cars. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-cars-com https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/cars-com --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Compare car listings by price, mileage, and distance.
- Find vehicles near a target ZIP code.
- Review dealership ratings and customer feedback.
- Track recent customer reviews for a dealership.

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this Cars.com tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Cars.com account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from cars.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What cars are listed near a ZIP code?

Search cars returns matching listings by make and model near a five-digit US ZIP code.

### What reviews does a dealership have?

Get dealer reviews returns recent customer reviews and dealership details for a dealer name and location.

## Related

- [CarGurus API](https://fous.com/tools/cargurus.md): CarGurus helps shoppers browse dealer-listed new and used cars with deal ratings, and view average used prices, price ranges and 12-month price history by model year.
- [Autotrader API](https://fous.com/tools/autotrader.md): Search new, used and certified cars for sale across the United States.
- [Carfax API](https://fous.com/tools/carfax.md): Carfax provides used-car listings near a US ZIP code with free history highlights, plus open safety recalls reported by CARFAX for a VIN or US plate.
- [CarMax API](https://fous.com/tools/carmax.md): Search public CarMax used-car listings.
- [Carvana API](https://fous.com/tools/carvana.md): Search used vehicles for sale on Carvana.
- [mobile.de API](https://fous.com/tools/mobile-de.md): Search cars for sale on mobile.de.
- [Tesla API](https://fous.com/tools/tesla.md): Tesla offers new and certified pre-owned vehicles across the United States and nearby open Supercharger sites, with delivery estimates and opening hours only when available.
- [OfferUp API](https://fous.com/tools/offerup.md): Local marketplace for buying and selling items.
- [All Commerce tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/commerce)