Free Lotus Elise VIN Decoder

How to decode a Lotus Elise VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Lotus Elise VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that is the distinctive mark of every vehicle manufacturer worldwide. For the Lotus Elise, the WMI is SCC, signaling that the vehicle is produced by Lotus Cars Ltd., an iconic British manufacturer of sports and racing cars. This code not only confirms the manufacturer but also indicates that the Elise was crafted in Lotus’s production facilities, most likely in their headquarters located in Norfolk, United Kingdom. Recognizing this WMI is the first step in decoding the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), allowing you to authenticate the car’s origins and often its primary market. When examining a Lotus Elise’s VIN, the presence of SCC at the beginning confirms its prestigious lineage in the realm of lightweight and high-performance vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a Lotus Elise

WMI: SCC

• Model Years Covered: 2005-2011
• Example VIN: SCCPC11105HL30067
• Manufacturer Name: Lotus Cars Ltd
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Gaydon
• State or Province: Norfolk
• Country: United Kingdom

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Lotus Elise VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Lotus Elise:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Lotus Elise VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Lotus Elise VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Lotus Elise VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Lotus Elise Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Lotus Elise

The final 6 characters in a Lotus Elise’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Lotus Elise VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2011, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturer Name: The VIN identifies Lotus Cars Ltd. as the likely manufacturer of the vehicle, providing some indication of the car’s origin.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN suggests that the Lotus Elise is likely classified as a passenger car, although there’s a chance it may vary by region or specific model type.
• Plant Company Name: The Lotus Elise VIN specifies Hethel as the plant company name, potentially indicating where the vehicle was assembled.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN identifies the body class of the Lotus Elise as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, giving detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Model: The VIN provides information about the engine model, such as the 2ZZ 190 evap, which may help in understanding the performance and specifications of the vehicle’s engine.
• Restraint System Info: The VIN indicates that the Lotus Elise is equipped with a front 3pt. Dual SIR restraint system, possibly contributing to the vehicle’s safety features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Lotus Elise