How to decode a 2011 Lotus Elise VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2011 Lotus Elise VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. The WMI for the 2011 Lotus Elise, “SCC”, specifically denotes Lotus Cars Ltd as the manufacturer. This code, part of the vehicle identification number (VIN), reveals that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in Gaydon, Norfolk, in the United Kingdom. Understanding the WMI not only helps in identifying the make and model of a vehicle but also provides specific information about the vehicle’s manufacturing origin. For the Lotus Elise, the WMI is a gateway to discerning its prestigious manufacturing background.

List of WMI Codes for a 2011 Lotus Elise

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 2005-2011
Example VIN: SCCLHCPC1BH123560
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 2011 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 2011 Lotus Elise:

Known VDS for a 2011 Lotus Elise
LHCPC	LHCZC

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 2011 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 2011 Lotus Elise VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
B	2011

11th Character in the 2011 Lotus Elise VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2011 Lotus Elise Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H			Nan	Hethel	SCCLHCPC1BH123560

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 Lotus Elise

The final 6 characters in a 2011 Lotus Elise’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2011 Lotus Elise’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2011 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. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area for a Lotus Elise VIN sticker. It’s often located where the door latches when closed.
Examine the front of the engine block. In the Lotus Elise, the VIN can sometimes be stamped onto the engine itself.
Look in the trunk of your Lotus Elise, specifically under the trunk mat or carpet. Occasionally, the VIN is placed in that area.
Check the Lotus Elise’s chassis. The VIN may be stamped on the frame or the body of the vehicle, often around the front part of the car.
Review your Lotus Elise ownership documentation or the vehicle insurance card/policy. The VIN will be listed on all legal and registration papers.

What info can a 2011 Lotus Elise VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting this car is from 2011, possibly offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can disclose the vehicle’s body class, in this example revealing it as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, hinting at its design and potential use cases.
Engine Specifications: Through the VIN, specific engine details are known, identifying this vehicle as equipped with a “2ZZ s/c 220” engine model, which could possibly provide insights into its performance characteristics.
Vehicle Model Information: Essential data such as the make and model are encoded in the VIN, pinpointing this vehicle as an Elise, possibly useful for identification or verification purposes.
Safety Features: The VIN may include information on the vehicle’s safety systems, suggesting this car is possibly fitted with front 3-point dual supplementary restraint systems (SIR), indicative of its safety equipment.
Manufacturing Details: A vehicle’s VIN can offer clues regarding its manufacturing location and plant, as demonstrated by “Hethel”, which might interest those possibly tracking production origin or assessing build quality.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 Lotus Elise

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Doors	2
Engine Model	2ZZ s/c 220
Model	Elise
Model Year	2011
Other Restraint System Info	Front 3pt. Dual SIR
Plant Company Name	Hethel
Vehicle Descriptor	SCCLHCZC*BH
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCLHCZC1BH255988