Mercedes-Benz Authentication: API Access & Security (2026)

Authentication overview

Authentication for Mercedes-Benz APIs is primarily managed through the Mercedes-Benz Developer Portal, securing access to services such as the Car Data Platform API, EV Status API, and Pay-by-Plate API. This process ensures that only authorized applications can interact with sensitive vehicle data and functionalities.

The system relies on established industry standards to provide a secure and manageable framework for developers. Access tokens are central to API interactions, granting temporary permissions for specific operations after a successful authentication flow. The developer portal offers documentation and tools to guide developers through the necessary steps for credential provisioning and API integration.

Mercedes-Benz categorizes its APIs and their access requirements based on the sensitivity and scope of the data involved. Some APIs, particularly those dealing with real-time vehicle status or driver-specific data, may require additional verification or consent processes beyond standard API key access, aligning with data protection regulations like GDPR.

Supported authentication methods

Mercedes-Benz APIs primarily implement OAuth 2.0 authorization for secure access to resources. Specifically, the Client Credentials grant type is commonly used for server-to-server communication where an application needs to access its own service resources, rather than acting on behalf of an end-user. This method involves exchanging a Client ID and Client Secret for an access token directly with an authorization server.

For scenarios requiring user consent, such as applications that interact directly with vehicle owners' data (e.g., custom mobile apps), other OAuth 2.0 grant types may be supported, typically involving a user's explicit authorization of the application. More detailed information on the specific OAuth 2.0 flows for different APIs is available in the Mercedes-Benz Developer Portal authentication documentation.

The following table summarizes the primary authentication method and its characteristics:

Getting your credentials

To access Mercedes-Benz APIs, developers must register an application within the Mercedes-Benz Developer Portal. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Create a Developer Account: Register on the Mercedes-Benz Developer Portal to create your individual or organizational developer account.

2. Register an Application: Navigate to the 'Applications' section and create a new application. During this step, you will provide basic information about your application, such as its name, description, and redirect URIs (if using user-facing OAuth flows).

3. Obtain Client ID and Client Secret: Upon successful application registration, the system will generate a unique Client ID and Client Secret. The Client Secret is a sensitive credential and should be treated like a password. It is typically displayed once during the creation process, so it is crucial to record it securely.

4. Request API Access: Depending on the specific Mercedes-Benz APIs you intend to use (e.g., Car Data Platform API, EV Status API), you may need to explicitly request access within your application's settings. Some APIs might require additional approval or verification steps due to data sensitivity.

5. Configure Redirect URIs: For OAuth 2.0 flows that involve user authorization, configure the appropriate Redirect URIs in your application's settings. These URIs must precisely match the URLs where the authorization server redirects the user after authentication.

The Mercedes-Benz Get Started documentation provides a step-by-step guide specific to credential setup and initial API calls.

Authenticated request example

Once you have obtained your Client ID and Client Secret, you can request an access token from the Mercedes-Benz authorization server. Here's an example using curl to obtain an access token using the Client Credentials grant type:

curl -X POST \
  https://api.mercedes-benz.com/oauth/token \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded' \
  -d 'grant_type=client_credentials&client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&client_secret=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET&scope=mb:vehicle:status:read'

Upon a successful request, the authorization server will return a JSON object containing your access_token, its token_type (e.g., Bearer), its expires_in duration (in seconds), and the scope it covers:

{
  "access_token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...",
  "token_type": "Bearer",
  "expires_in": 3600,
  "scope": "mb:vehicle:status:read"
}

You can then use this access_token in the Authorization header of subsequent API requests. For example, to call a Mercedes-Benz vehicle status API endpoint:

curl -X GET \
  https://api.mercedes-benz.com/v1/vehicles/{vehicleId}/status \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...' \
  -H 'accept: application/json'

Remember to replace YOUR_CLIENT_ID, YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET, and {vehicleId} with your actual credentials and the target vehicle identifier.

Security best practices

Adhering to security best practices is crucial when working with authentication for Mercedes-Benz APIs, especially given the sensitive nature of vehicle data:

• Keep Credentials Confidential: Your Client ID and especially your Client Secret are critical. Never expose them in client-side code, public repositories, or unsecured environments. Store them in environment variables, secure configuration management systems, or secrets managers (e.g., AWS Secrets Manager, Google Cloud Secret Manager).

• Use HTTPS/TLS: Always ensure all communication with Mercedes-Benz API endpoints and your application's backend is encrypted using HTTPS (TLS). This protects credentials and data in transit from eavesdropping and tampering.

• Securely Store Access Tokens: Access tokens should be stored securely and only for their necessary lifespan. Avoid persisting them unnecessarily. For server-side applications, keep them in memory or in secure, encrypted storage.

• Handle Token Expiration: Implement logic to gracefully handle access token expiration. When a token expires, your application should request a new one using its refresh token (if granted) or re-authenticate with client credentials without interrupting user experience.

• Least Privilege Principle: Request only the minimum necessary API scopes for your application's functionality. This limits the potential impact if a token is compromised.

• Validate Redirect URIs: If implementing OAuth 2.0 with user interaction, strictly validate redirect URIs to prevent open redirect vulnerabilities. Only register exact, specific URIs within your application settings on the developer portal.

• Error Handling and Logging: Implement robust error handling for authentication failures and log relevant security events. Monitor these logs for suspicious activity, such as repeated failed authentication attempts.

• Regularly Review and Rotate Credentials: Periodically review your application's registered credentials and consider rotating your Client Secret. This reduces the risk associated with long-lived credentials.