How to decode a 2003 Lotus Esprit VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Lotus Esprit VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. Comprising the first three characters of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), the WMI specifies the manufacturer, the country of production, and sometimes the vehicle type. For instance, Lotus Cars Ltd, a prestigious sports car manufacturer based in Gaydon, Norfolk, United Kingdom, has the WMI “SCC” for their vehicles, including models like the 2003 Lotus Esprit. This distinct code not only verifies the car’s authenticity but also provides vital information about its origins and manufacturing details. WMIs serve as a global standard for identifying vehicle manufacturers, ensuring a universal method for tracking vehicle history and specification.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Lotus Esprit

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
Example VIN: SCCDC08203HA10467
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 2003 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 2003 Lotus Esprit:

Known VDS for a 2003 Lotus Esprit
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 2003 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 2003 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Hethel		United Kingdom		SCCDC08203HA10467

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Lotus Esprit

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Lotus Esprit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Lotus Esprit’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Lotus Esprit’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Lotus Esprit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Esprit. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the windshield.
Look at the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door, as the VIN is sometimes affixed on a plaque in that area.
Inspect the front part of the engine block, as the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself in many vehicles, including the Lotus Esprit.
Check inside the wheel well of the front tires. Occasionally, the VIN might be located there for some models.
Peek beneath the spare tire in the trunk or cargo area of the Lotus Esprit, as some manufacturers place the VIN in this hidden location.
Survey the vehicle’s paperwork: registration documents, owner’s manual, or insurance papers, as they should all contain the VIN of your Lotus Esprit.

What info can a 2003 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can suggest that the vehicle is from the year 2003, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: It may specify the body class as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, such as a V-Shaped engine configuration, 3.5L displacement, and an engine model 918 with 8 cylinders, can possibly be obtained.
Safety Features: Information on safety features, such as the locations of front airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and other restraint system details like active belts, might be available.
Vehicle Manufacturing Information: The VIN can potentially provide insight into the manufacturing location, including the plant city of Hethel and the country, which is the United Kingdom.
Vehicle Performance Attributes: Indicators like the presence of a turbocharger are possibly noted, signifying enhanced performance capabilities.
Basic Vehicle Identification: It could offer vehicle type (Passenger Car) and descriptors, providing a glimpse into identifying and classifying the vehicle.

Don’t have your 2003 Lotus Esprit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 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	2003
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*3H
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCDC08203HA10467