How to decode a 2006 Lotus Elise VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2006 Lotus Elise VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to automakers, serving as the initial characters of a vehicle’s unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These codes reveal essential information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s identity, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacturing. For example, Lotus Cars Ltd, a prestigious British automaker known for producing high-performance sports cars, is designated with the WMI code “SCC”. This code signifies that the vehicle, such as a 2006 Lotus Elise, is a passenger car manufactured in Gaydon, Norfolk, within the United Kingdom. WMIs play a crucial role in vehicle identification, enabling clear distinction and traceability across the global automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2006 Lotus Elise

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 2005-2011
Example VIN: SCCPC11106HL30149
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 2006 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 2006 Lotus Elise:

Known VDS for a 2006 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 2006 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 2006 Lotus Elise VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
6	2006

11th Character in the 2006 Lotus Elise VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2006 Lotus Elise Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Hethel		United Kingdom		SCCPC11106HL30149

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2006 Lotus Elise

The final 6 characters in a 2006 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 2006 Lotus Elise’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2006 Lotus Elise is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Elise. You can generally see the VIN through the windshield.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of the Lotus Elise. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Inspect the frame of the car. On a Lotus Elise, the VIN may also be etched onto the chassis in the engine bay area.
Review your vehicle’s service or maintenance book. The VIN for your Lotus Elise should be recorded in any official vehicle documentation.
Check the Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) for the Lotus Elise, as it will have the VIN listed.
Look under the front bonnet (hood) for a metal plate; the VIN may be stamped on the firewall within the engine compartment of the Lotus Elise.

What info can a 2006 Lotus Elise VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2006, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Plant Country: It may pinpoint the manufacturing country, for instance, stating that a vehicle was manufactured in the United Kingdom.
Vehicle Specifications: Basic details like the make “Elise” and engine type such as “1.8L VVTL-i / 3.5L V-8 Turbo 918” are typically found within the VIN.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the “Elise” model, this may indicate a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Safety Features: The VIN can provide information about standard safety features like “Front Air Bag Locations: 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)” and “Active Belts,” offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s safety provisions.
Fuel Type: The VIN can specify the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, in this example, possibly indicating that the vehicle uses Gasoline.
Engine Model: Specific details about the engine model, like “2ZZ,” can be extracted from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.

Don’t have your 2006 Lotus Elise’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2006 Lotus Elise

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Doors	2
Engine Model	2ZZ
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Elise
Model Year	2006
Other Engine Info	1.8L VVTL-i / 3.5L V-8Turbo 918
Other Restraint System Info	Active Belts
Plant City	Hethel
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United Kingdom
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	SCCPC111*6H
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCPC11106HL30149