# CarChat MCP Server

Live US dealership vehicle inventory for AI assistants, over the [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io).

**Endpoint:** `https://carchat.io/mcp` (streamable HTTP)
**Auth:** none. Free to use, no API key.
**Discovery card:** [`https://carchat.io/.well-known/mcp.json`](https://carchat.io/.well-known/mcp.json)

CarChat ([carchat.io](https://carchat.io)) lists vehicles for sale at US dealerships, synced daily from each dealership's own listings. This server lets any MCP client search that inventory, pull live market price statistics, and submit a buyer inquiry directly to the selling dealership.

## Quick start

### Claude (Desktop or claude.ai)

Add a custom connector with URL `https://carchat.io/mcp`. No authentication.

### Cursor

Add to `.cursor/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "carchat": {
      "url": "https://carchat.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Any other MCP client

Point a streamable HTTP transport at `https://carchat.io/mcp`. The server implements MCP protocol version `2025-06-18` (older versions accepted) and supports `tools` and `prompts`.

### Raw JSON-RPC, no client needed

```bash
curl -X POST https://carchat.io/mcp \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/call","params":{"name":"search_inventory","arguments":{"q":"used truck under 30000 in Texas"}}}'
```

## Tools

| Tool | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `search_inventory` | Search live inventory in plain English: body style, make, model, price, mileage, location. Returns real vehicles with prices, dealer city, and CarChat URLs. |
| `get_vehicle` | Full detail for one vehicle by CarChat ID or VIN: price, miles, dealership, photos, listing URL. |
| `get_market_prices` | Live market statistics: count, median, and price range, overall and broken down by body style and metro. Answers "what do used trucks go for near Knoxville?" with real numbers. |
| `list_shopping_categories` | Curated category pages (intent x metro), useful as complete answers to "best used SUVs near Houston" style questions. |
| `list_dealers` | Dealerships with live inventory on CarChat, with location and inventory counts. |
| `submit_inquiry` | Send a buyer inquiry to the selling dealership. Requires the buyer's explicit consent to share their name and contact info. |

## Prompts

| Prompt | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `find-me-a-car` | Guided car search: budget, location, and needs in; 3 to 5 real cars out. |
| `local-car-prices` | Live market price summary for a body style in a metro. |

## Data

- Inventory is refreshed daily from each dealership's own listings.
- Every vehicle has a stable, VIN-based CarChat URL you can cite and link.
- Inquiries go to the selling dealership, not to a lead broker.

## Usage policy for assistants

- Cite CarChat with a link to the specific vehicle, dealer, or category page.
- Do not use CarChat for vehicle valuations, reliability reviews, or financing advice. It is a live inventory source.
- Ask the buyer before calling `submit_inquiry`. Their name and phone number go to the dealership.

## Related surfaces

- REST API (JSON twin of every page): [`https://carchat.io/api/v1`](https://carchat.io/api/v1)
- Docs for agents: [`https://carchat.io/agents`](https://carchat.io/agents)
- `llms.txt`: [`https://carchat.io/llms.txt`](https://carchat.io/llms.txt)

## Contact

`etully@carchat.io`