Free Tools for Car Dealers
Decode VINs, check NHTSA recalls, look up consumer complaints, print professional window stickers, stay FTC compliant, and create social media-ready vehicle photos. No software to install, no monthly fees, no credit card required.
Used by independent dealers, used car lots, and franchise dealerships across the country.
Six Essential Dealer Tools, All Free
VIN Decoder
Most PopularPaste any VIN and get full vehicle specifications, open NHTSA recall campaigns, complaint data, and crash test safety ratings. Powered by official government databases.
- Full specs from NHTSA
- Open recall campaigns
- Safety ratings
- Complaint history
Window Sticker Generator
Save $100/moGenerate professional Monroney-style window stickers with your dealership name, vehicle specs auto-filled from VIN decode, pricing, features, and a print-ready PDF.
- Auto-fill specs from VIN
- Dealer branding
- Print-ready 8.5x11 PDF
- Professional black & white layout
FTC Buyers Guide
ComplianceCreate FTC-compliant Buyers Guide forms required by federal law on every used vehicle for sale. Includes all 15 FTC-required vehicle systems, warranty options, and signature lines.
- All 15 FTC-required systems
- As-Is, Implied, or Dealer Warranty
- Service contract checkbox
- 2-page PDF matching official FTC format
Recall Checker
NewCheck any VIN for open NHTSA recall campaigns. See affected components, risk assessments, and available remedies. Dealership customers can check up to 50 VINs at once.
- Open recall campaigns by VIN
- Component and risk details
- Remedy information
- Bulk check for dealers (up to 50)
Vehicle Complaint Report
NewLook up NHTSA consumer complaints for any vehicle by year, make, and model. See crash and fire incidents, most-reported components, and full complaint narratives.
- Complaints by year/make/model
- Crash and fire incident flags
- Most-reported components
- Full complaint details
Photo Overlay Editor
CreativeAdd SOLD banners, price tags, custom text, and dealership watermarks to vehicle photos. Runs entirely in your browser. Perfect for Facebook Marketplace and Instagram posts.
- SOLD diagonal banners
- Price tag badges
- Dealer watermarks
- Custom text and colors
Why We Give These Tools Away for Free
We built all four of these tools in less than a day. VIN decoding uses a free government API. Window stickers and Buyers Guides are formatted PDFs. The photo editor runs in your browser. There is no reason any of this should cost money, and charging dealers $50-100/month for it is a rip-off.
Other dealer website platforms know this. They charge for these features anyway because they can. DealerOn, Dealer.com, and DealerInspire bundle basic tools behind paywalls and call them "premium add-ons." We'd rather give them away and earn your trust than nickel-and-dime you for software that took an afternoon to build.
Whether you're an independent used car lot with 10 vehicles or a franchise dealer with 500, these tools work the same way. No per-vehicle fees, no usage limits, no subscriptions to cancel. Decode as many VINs as you want, print as many stickers as you need, generate as many Buyers Guides as your lot requires.
What Dealers Typically Pay for These Features
| Tool | Typical Cost | Hire Mika |
|---|---|---|
| VIN Decoder | $20-50/mo or per-decode fees | Free |
| Window Sticker Generator | $50-100/mo | Free |
| FTC Buyers Guide Forms | $30-75/mo or $2-5 per form | Free |
| Recall Checker | $15-30/mo or per-check fees | Free |
| Complaint Report | Included in paid platforms | Free |
| Photo Overlay / Editor | $15-40/mo (Canva Pro, etc.) | Free |
| Total | $130-295/mo | $0 |
Get the premium version, included with every plan
Mika dealership customers get enhanced versions of all tools as part of their plan. No add-on fees, no per-use charges.
- All tools with no watermarks
- Auto-fill from vehicle listing URLs
- Integrated with your vehicle inventory and dashboard
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these tools really free?
Yes, 100% free with no limits. No credit card, no trial period, no hidden fees. We built these because dealers shouldn't have to pay monthly subscriptions for basic tools like VIN decoding and window stickers.
Why are you giving these away?
We build software for car dealerships. These free tools let you see the quality of our work. If you ever need a full dealership website with built-in lead conversion, we're here. But the tools are free whether you buy anything else or not.
Do I need to install any software?
No. Everything runs in your web browser. The VIN decoder, recall checker, complaint report, window sticker generator, and Buyers Guide all work on any device with a browser, including your phone. The photo overlay editor processes images entirely in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.
How accurate is the VIN decoder?
Our VIN decoder uses the official NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Vehicle Product Information Catalog database, the same source used by law enforcement and insurance companies. Recall data, complaints, and safety ratings also come directly from NHTSA.
Are the Buyers Guide forms legally compliant?
Our Buyers Guide generator matches the official FTC Used Car Rule template, including all 15 required vehicle systems with their specific defects, three warranty options (As-Is, Implied Warranties Only, Dealer Warranty), non-dealer warranty checkboxes, service contract notice, and all required legal language. The PDF is two pages matching the front and back of the official FTC form. However, state requirements may vary. Always consult your state's dealer licensing board for state-specific requirements.
Can I use these tools on my phone?
Yes. All six tools are mobile-friendly. Dealers frequently use the VIN decoder and recall checker right from the lot on their phones. The window sticker and Buyers Guide PDFs can be downloaded on mobile and printed from any printer.
Is my data safe?
We take privacy seriously. VIN lookups go through official government APIs. The photo overlay editor runs entirely in your browser, so your images are never uploaded to our servers. We don't sell or share your information with third parties.
Do other dealer platforms charge for these features?
Yes. DealerOn, Dealer.com, and similar platforms charge $50-100/month or more for window sticker generation alone. Compliance form generators are often sold as separate add-on subscriptions. We believe these should be free for every dealer.
Want These Tools Built Into Your Dealership Website?
Mika is a lead conversion platform for dealerships. One-click window stickers from your inventory, live vehicle search in chat, self-learning conversion technology, and 24/7 lead capture. Everything your dealership website needs, without the DealerOn price tag.
See How Mika Works for Dealers