# CarChrono — Vehicle Intelligence Platform > CarChrono is a comprehensive automotive intelligence platform offering free VIN decoding, vehicle history reports, valuations, recall checks, and ownership cost analysis. Data is cross-referenced from 9+ verified sources including NHTSA, CarsXE, MarketCheck, and ClearVIN. ## Core Features - **Free VIN Decoder**: Decode any 17-character VIN instantly to get manufacturer, model year, engine type, and build location. - **Vehicle History Reports**: Comprehensive multi-source reports covering accident history, title checks, ownership timeline, and mileage verification. - **Vehicle Valuations**: Real-time new, used, and market valuations using dealer listings, auction results, and historical pricing trends. - **Recall Lookup**: Free NHTSA recall checks with real-time safety alert notifications. - **Japanese Chassis Number Decoding**: Decode JDM import frame numbers for Japanese-market vehicles (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, etc.). - **International VIN Decoding**: Support for US, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Mexican market vehicles. - **Vehicle Comparison**: Side-by-side comparison of multiple vehicles across specs, pricing, and history. - **Maintenance Tracking**: Log and track maintenance records, DIY repairs, and service history. ## Pricing - **Free**: 5 vehicle searches/month, 1 vehicle report/month, basic VIN lookups, recall information. - **Basic ($9.99/month)**: Unlimited searches, 5 reports/month, 10 comparisons, saved vehicle report comparison. - **Premium ($19.99/month)**: Unlimited searches, 10 reports/month, 20 comparisons, international VIN decoding, vehicle valuations. - **Pro ($49.99/month)**: Unlimited everything — searches, reports, comparisons, garage vehicles, and all features. ## Data Sources CarChrono aggregates data from 9+ verified sources: - NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) — Safety ratings and recall data - CarsXE — Vehicle specifications and history - MarketCheck — Real-time market pricing and dealer inventory - ClearVIN — Title checks and fraud detection - CarVX — Japanese market vehicle data - Manufacturer databases — OEM specifications and TSBs ## FAQs ### What is a VIN and how do I decode it? A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It contains information about the manufacturer, model year, engine type, and where the vehicle was built. CarChrono's free VIN decoder instantly translates this code into a comprehensive vehicle report. ### Is CarChrono's VIN lookup free? Yes, CarChrono offers a free tier that includes 5 vehicle searches per month and 1 vehicle report per month. Premium plans starting at $9.99/month provide unlimited searches, more reports, vehicle comparisons, and international VIN decoding. ### What data sources does CarChrono use? CarChrono aggregates data from 9+ verified sources including NHTSA, CarsXE, MarketCheck, and manufacturer databases to provide comprehensive vehicle history, recall information, valuations, and specifications. ### Can CarChrono decode Japanese chassis numbers? Yes, CarChrono supports Japanese chassis number (frame number) decoding for JDM imports. Premium and Pro plans include international VIN decoding covering Japanese, European, and other international market vehicles. ### How accurate are CarChrono vehicle valuations? CarChrono provides new, used, and market vehicle valuations by cross-referencing real-time market data from multiple sources including dealer listings, auction results, and historical pricing trends. ## Links - Website: https://carchrono.net - Blog: https://carchrono.net/blog - Pricing: https://carchrono.net/pricing - VIN Guide: https://carchrono.net/what-is-vin - Chassis Number Guide: https://carchrono.net/what-is-chassis-number - Contact: https://carchrono.net/contact - API Documentation: https://carchrono.net/docs