# Kelley Blue Book API

> Kelley Blue Book returns car values and reviews as a workflow and API.

Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Get car value estimates trade-in and private-party values using a car, mileage, and ZIP code. Get car review returns ratings, pricing, fuel economy, pros, and cons using a year, make, and model.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/kelley-blue-book
- Handle: `@kelley-blue-book`
- Category: [Commerce](https://fous.com/tools/category/commerce)
- Source website: https://kbb.com
- Last verified: Sep 28, 2026

## Methods

### Get car review

Operation `get_car_review`, 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.

Get KBB ratings, pricing, fuel economy, pros, cons, and expert review for a car model. Some details are unavailable for certain model years.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | yes | `"2024 Toyota Camry"` | The year, make and model, for example 2024 Honda CR-V. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "car"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "car": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The year, make and model, for example 2024 Honda CR-V.",
      "examples": [
        "2024 Toyota Camry",
        "2024 Honda CR-V",
        "2025 Toyota Camry"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "car": "2024 Toyota Camry"
    },
    {
      "car": "2024 Honda CR-V"
    },
    {
      "car": "2025 Toyota Camry"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `cons` | array |  |  |
| `pros` | array |  |  |
| `trims` | array |  |  |
| `trims[].name` | string | `"LE Sedan 4D"` |  |
| `trims[].starting_price_usd` | number | `27515` |  |
| `car_name` | string | `"2024 Toyota Camry"` |  |
| `currency` | string | `"USD"` |  |
| `page_url` | string | `"https://www.kbb.com/toyota/camry/2024/"` |  |
| `fuel_economy` | string or null | `"28 city / 39 highway MPG"` |  |
| `expert_rating` | number or null | `4.6` | KBB expert rating out of 5. |
| `consumer_rating` | number or null | `3.9` | Consumer rating out of 5. |
| `starting_price_usd` | number or null | `27515` | Starting MSRP in USD, original MSRP for used cars. |
| `consumer_review_count` | integer or null | `350` |  |
| `expert_verdict_summary` | string or null | `"We might as well come straight out with it — we really, really like the Honda CR-V. It does virtually everything right.` |  |
| `fair_purchase_price_usd` | number or null | `23900` | KBB Fair Purchase Price in USD for the base trim. |
| `five_year_cost_to_own_usd` | number or null | `50170` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "car": "2024 Toyota Camry"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "cons": [
    "Due for a revamp"
  ],
  "pros": [
    "Dependable and roomy",
    "Strong resale values",
    "Available all-wheel drive"
  ],
  "trims": [
    {
      "name": "LE Sedan 4D",
      "starting_price_usd": 27515
    },
    {
      "name": "SE Sedan 4D",
      "starting_price_usd": 29055
    },
    {
      "name": "SE Nightshade Edition Sedan 4D",
      "starting_price_usd": 30055
    }
  ],
  "car_name": "2024 Toyota Camry",
  "currency": "USD",
  "page_url": "https://www.kbb.com/toyota/camry/2024/",
  "fuel_economy": "28 city / 39 highway MPG",
  "expert_rating": 4.6,
  "consumer_rating": 3.9,
  "starting_price_usd": 27515,
  "consumer_review_count": 350,
  "expert_verdict_summary": "It might seem odd to recommend the Toyota Camry as an antidote to boredom, but that’s where we are. Midsize sedans were once seen as rather vanilla, but as an alternative to the ubiquitous SUV, cars l…",
  "fair_purchase_price_usd": 23900,
  "five_year_cost_to_own_usd": null
}
```

### Get car value

Operation `get_car_value`, 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.

Estimate a used car’s trade-in and private-party values and ranges for its mileage, ZIP code, trim, and condition. Dealer retail and fair purchase prices are included only when available.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | yes | `"2020 Honda Civic"` | Year, make and model, for example 2019 Toyota Camry. |
| `trim` | string | no | `"EX"` | Trim name, for example SE; defaults to KBB’s selected trim. |
| `mileage` | integer | yes | `60000` | Odometer mileage in miles, for example 45000. |
| `zip_code` | string | yes | `"90210"` | Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 30301. |
| `condition` | string | no | `"excellent"` | Car condition, for example good; defaults to good. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "car",
    "mileage",
    "zip_code"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "car": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Year, make and model, for example 2019 Toyota Camry.",
      "examples": [
        "2020 Honda Civic",
        "2019 Toyota Camry"
      ]
    },
    "trim": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "",
      "description": "Trim name, for example SE; defaults to KBB’s selected trim.",
      "examples": [
        "EX"
      ]
    },
    "mileage": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 0,
      "description": "Odometer mileage in miles, for example 45000.",
      "examples": [
        60000,
        45000
      ]
    },
    "zip_code": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Five-digit US ZIP code, for example 30301.",
      "examples": [
        "90210",
        "30301"
      ]
    },
    "condition": {
      "enum": [
        "excellent",
        "very_good",
        "good",
        "fair"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "good",
      "description": "Car condition, for example good; defaults to good.",
      "examples": [
        "excellent"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "car": "2020 Honda Civic",
      "trim": "EX",
      "mileage": 60000,
      "zip_code": "90210",
      "condition": "excellent"
    },
    {
      "car": "2019 Toyota Camry",
      "mileage": 45000,
      "zip_code": "30301"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `car` | string | `"2020 Honda Civic"` |  |
| `trim` | string | `"EX Sedan 4D"` |  |
| `mileage` | integer | `60000` |  |
| `currency` | string | `"USD"` |  |
| `condition` | string | `"excellent"` |  |
| `page_link` | string | `"https://www.kbb.com/honda/civic/2020/ex-sedan-4d/?vehicleid=445358&mileage=60000&zipcode=90210&intent=trade-in-sell&pri` |  |
| `trade_in_value` | number or null | `16020` | USD amount. |
| `valuation_date` | string or null | `"2026-09-28"` |  |
| `trade_in_range_low` | number or null | `14770` | USD amount. |
| `dealer_retail_value` | number or null |  | USD amount. |
| `fair_purchase_price` | number or null |  | USD amount. |
| `private_party_value` | number or null | `19480` | USD amount. |
| `trade_in_range_high` | number or null | `17270` | USD amount. |
| `private_party_range_low` | number or null | `18330` | USD amount. |
| `private_party_range_high` | number or null | `20680` | USD amount. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "car": "2020 Honda Civic",
  "trim": "EX",
  "mileage": 60000,
  "zip_code": "90210",
  "condition": "excellent"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "car": "2020 Honda Civic",
  "trim": "EX Sedan 4D",
  "mileage": 60000,
  "currency": "USD",
  "condition": "excellent",
  "page_link": "https://www.kbb.com/honda/civic/2020/ex-sedan-4d/?vehicleid=445358&mileage=60000&zipcode=90210&intent=trade-in-sell&pricetype=trade-in&condition=excellent",
  "trade_in_value": 16020,
  "valuation_date": "2026-09-28",
  "trade_in_range_low": 14770,
  "dealer_retail_value": null,
  "fair_purchase_price": null,
  "private_party_value": 19480,
  "trade_in_range_high": 17270,
  "private_party_range_low": 18330,
  "private_party_range_high": 20680
}
```

## 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": "@kelley-blue-book",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_car_review",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "car": "2024 Toyota Camry"
  },
  "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\": \"@kelley-blue-book\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_car_review\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"car\": \"2024 Toyota Camry\"\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": "@kelley-blue-book",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_car_review",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "car": "2024 Toyota Camry"
  },
  "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/kelley-blue-book`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_car_review`: Get car review. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `get_car_value`: Get car value. 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-kelley-blue-book https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/kelley-blue-book --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 trade-in and private-party values by mileage and ZIP code
- Estimate a car’s value for a chosen condition
- Review ratings, fuel economy, pros, and cons by car model
- Compare starting prices across available trims
- Assess a model’s fair purchase price and five-year ownership cost

## 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 Kelley Blue Book 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 Kelley Blue Book account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from kbb.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 28, 2026.

### What is a car’s estimated trade-in value?

Get car value estimates a trade-in value and range using the car, mileage, and ZIP code.

### What is a car’s private-party value?

Get car value estimates a private-party value and low-to-high range using the car, mileage, and ZIP code.

### What are a car model’s ratings and fuel economy?

Get car review returns available ratings and fuel economy, along with pricing, pros, cons, and expert review.

## 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.
- [Cars.com API](https://fous.com/tools/cars-com.md): Cars.com finds car listings by make, model, and U.S. ZIP code, and provides dealerships’ latest customer reviews when available.
- [Autotrader API](https://fous.com/tools/autotrader.md): Search new, used and certified cars for sale across the United States.
- [Carvana API](https://fous.com/tools/carvana.md): Search used vehicles for sale on Carvana.
- [CarMax API](https://fous.com/tools/carmax.md): Search public CarMax used-car listings.
- [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.
- [FuelEconomy.gov API](https://fous.com/tools/fueleconomy-gov.md): FuelEconomy.gov provides official vehicle fuel economy ratings, driving range, emissions, five-year savings, and annual fuel costs based on current fuel prices and EPA’s 15,000-mile annual driving assumption.
- [NHTSA API](https://fous.com/tools/nhtsa.md): NHTSA provides vehicle details, model-level recalls, 5-Star Safety Ratings, owner complaints, and listed car, SUV, and truck models; data may be missing, and recalls do not confirm repairs.
- [All Commerce tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/commerce)