How to decode a Lotus Esprit VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Lotus Esprit VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial trio of characters at the beginning of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For the Lotus Esprit, this WMI is SCC, denoting Lotus Cars Ltd as the automaker. This British manufacturer is renowned for its distinct sports and racing cars, with the Esprit being one of its most iconic models. Produced at the Lotus headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, United Kingdom, the Esprit’s VIN helps to verify its authenticity and origin. The WMI serves as the essential DNA sequence for every Esprit, confirming it as a genuine creation of Lotus Cars Ltd.

List of WMI Codes for a Lotus Esprit

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
Example VIN: SCCFC20A0GHF60751
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 Esprit 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 Esprit:

Known VDS for a Lotus Esprit
FC20A	DC082

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 Esprit 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 Esprit VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004 Lotus Esprit
3	2003 Lotus Esprit
2	2002 Lotus Esprit
1	2001 Lotus Esprit
K	1989 Lotus Esprit
J	1988 Lotus Esprit
H	1987 Lotus Esprit
G	1986 Lotus Esprit

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

Known Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Hethel		United Kingdom		SCCFC20A0GHF60751

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Lotus Esprit

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

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How to find a Lotus Esprit’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Esprit, where it meets the windshield. The VIN should be visible through the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and check the area where the door latch meets the body of the Lotus Esprit; the VIN is often found here.
Examination of the Lotus Esprit’s service and maintenance records or insurance documents, which should list the VIN.
Inspect the engine block of your Lotus Esprit, as the VIN can sometimes be found stamped on the engine itself.
Check the chassis of the Lotus Esprit for any stamped numbers, as VINs can sometimes be found on the frame, particularly in older models.
Look into the Lotus Esprit’s owner’s manual or other paperwork that came with the vehicle, as the VIN is usually recorded there.
If all else fails, contact a Lotus dealership or a professional mechanic who can help you locate the VIN on your Lotus Esprit.

What info can a Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year the Lotus Esprit was manufactured, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Manufacturer: The VIN helps in identifying the manufacturer of the Lotus Esprit, ensuring its authenticity and origin, potentially adding to the vehicle’s historical significance.
Vehicle Type: The VIN indicates that the Lotus Esprit is classified as a passenger car, offering insight into its intended use and design as a personal transportation vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN can reveal the body class of the Lotus Esprit, specifying its body style, potentially indicating whether it is a coupe or another type of body design.
Engine Specifications: The VIN may provide information on the engine of the Lotus Esprit, including details about the number of cylinders and the engine configuration, helping to understand its performance capabilities.
Turbo: The VIN can indicate whether the Lotus Esprit is equipped with a turbocharged engine, offering details on its potential for enhanced performance.
Safety Restraints: The VIN may provide insight into the safety features of the Lotus Esprit, including the type of seat belts and other restraint systems present in the vehicle, contributing to understanding its safety technology.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Lotus Esprit

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	918
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Esprit
Model Year	2002
Other Restraint System Info	Active Belts
Plant City	Hethel
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United Kingdom
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Turbo
Turbo	Yes
Vehicle Descriptor	SCCDC082*2H
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCDC08212HA10363