How to decode a 2012 Lotus Exige VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Lotus Exige VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. It provides specific information about where a vehicle was made, the manufacturer’s identity, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, a 2012 Lotus Exige has a WMI that signifies it was manufactured by Lotus Cars Ltd, indicating it as a passenger car. This luxury sports car hails from Gaydon, Norfolk in the United Kingdom, underscoring Lotus’s storied heritage in crafting high-performance automobiles. The WMI is a critical component of vehicle identification, ensuring each car’s traceability and authenticity worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Lotus Exige
WMI: SCC
- Model Years Covered: 2011-2012
- Example VIN: SCCLHHSC4CHD10509
- 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 2012 Lotus Exige 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 2012 Lotus Exige:
| Known VDS for a 2012 Lotus Exige | |
|---|---|
| LHHSC | LHHSA |
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 2012 Lotus Exige 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 2012 Lotus Exige VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 Lotus Exige VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 Lotus Exige Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Hethel | United Kingdom | SCCLHHSC4CHD10509 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Lotus Exige
The final 6 characters in a 2012 Lotus Exige’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a 2012 Lotus Exige’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Lotus Exige is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Exige. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate near the corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of the 2012 Lotus Exige. The VIN may be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the frame of the car. The VIN on Lotus Exiges can sometimes be found stamped onto the chassis frame itself, which might be visible when opening the hood or looking beneath the vehicle.
- Check under the bonnet. For the Lotus Exige, the VIN might also be located on a plaque or sticker on the firewall inside the engine compartment.
- Review the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card for your Lotus Exige. The VIN will be listed on these documents, which can be easily accessed if kept in the glove compartment or with other important papers.
What info can a 2012 Lotus Exige VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it may be a 2012 model, potentially providing insights into its age and level of technology.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can provide information about the vehicle type, revealing that it is designed for passenger use and is classified as a Coupe, offering a snapshot of the vehicle’s form and function.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN discloses details about the engine, including the model 2GR-FE 257 kW, a V-shaped engine with 6 cylinders, and displacements of 3.5 liters (3500.0 cc and 213.58 ci), enhancing understanding of the vehicle’s power capacity and performance.
- Fuel Efficiency and Type: The primary fuel type indicated by the VIN is Gasoline, which can offer insights into fuel efficiency and operating costs.
- Safety Features: Safety information such as the presence of front airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row can be discerned from the VIN, providing insight into the vehicle’s safety measures.
- Manufacturing Details: The country of manufacture is noted as the United Kingdom, with the plant city being Hethel, offering clues about the vehicle’s origin and potentially its build quality.
- Vehicle Identification: Specific details like the model (Exige) and a portion of the unique VIN (SCCLHHSC*CH) are indicative of the vehicle’s identification, aiding in distinguishing it from other vehicles and confirming its authenticity.
Don’t have your 2012 Lotus Exige’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Lotus Exige
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Model | 2GR-FE 257 kW |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Power (kW) | 257 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Exige |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Plant City | Hethel |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United Kingdom |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | SCCLHHSC*CH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | SCCLHHSC4CHD10509 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today