How to decode a 2005 Lotus Elise VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Lotus Elise VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique sequence used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is essential for vehicle identification and tracking. For the 2005 Lotus Elise, the WMI indicates that it was manufactured by Lotus Cars Ltd, a renowned British automotive company. This iconic sports car, recognized by its distinct WMI, was assembled in Gaydon, Norfolk, within the United Kingdom, characterizing it as a passenger vehicle. The WMI is a critical element, aiding in the traceability and verification of vehicles, ensuring each car’s history and specifications are easily accessible.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 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 2005 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 2005 Lotus Elise:

Known VDS for a 2005 Lotus Elise
PC111

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 2005 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 2005 Lotus Elise VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Lotus Elise VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Lotus Elise Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Hethel		United Kingdom		SCCPC11105HL30067

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Lotus Elise

The final 6 characters in a 2005 Lotus Elise’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Lotus Elise’s VIN below:

How to find a 2005 Lotus Elise’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Lotus Elise is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Elise. The VIN is typically located here and can be seen through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the passenger’s side for a sticker where the door closes. This sticker often contains the VIN on a Lotus Elise.
Examine the frame of the car by looking in the engine bay. It is a common spot where the VIN might be stamped on the chassis of the Lotus Elise.
Check under the rear trunk carpet or the boot area where the spare wheel is stored in the Lotus Elise. Sometimes the VIN is placed in this area.
Review your Lotus Elise registration documents or insurance paperwork, as the VIN will be listed there.

What info can a 2005 Lotus Elise VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2005, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN specifies that the vehicle was manufactured in Hethel, United Kingdom, offering insights into its origin with a high probability.
Vehicle Specifications: Essential details such as the engine model 2ZZ and a 1.8L displacement for the Lotus Elise are encoded within the VIN, potentially offering valuable insights into its mechanical capabilities.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN can disclose the body class, indicating that the vehicle is a Coupe with 2 doors, outlining its design and size with a high degree of likelihood.
Safety Features: The VIN may include information regarding the presence of front air bags located in the 1st row (driver and passenger) and active belts, potentially indicating the safety mechanisms installed.
Engine and Performance Details: Specific engine information, such as the 1800.0 CC (or 1.8L) displacement and the inclusion of VVTL-i technology, is revealed, which may indicate the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Other Details: The VIN includes unique identifiers like the vehicle descriptor (SCCPC111*5H) and a sample VIN (SCCPC11105HL30067), which can be used for further detailed lookup or verification with a high probability.

Don’t have your 2005 Lotus Elise’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Lotus Elise

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Displacement (CC)	1800.0
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	2
Engine Model	2ZZ
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Elise
Model Year	2005
Other Engine Info	VVTL-i
Other Restraint System Info	Active Belts
Plant City	Hethel
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United Kingdom
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	SCCPC111*5H
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCPC11105HL30067