How to decode a 2004 Lotus Esprit VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Lotus Esprit VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, composed of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It denotes not just the maker, but can also reflect the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For instance, the 2004 Lotus Esprit, a renowned passenger car produced by Lotus Cars Ltd, carries a WMI that signifies its British origins specifically from Gaydon, Norfolk in the United Kingdom. This identifier serves as a critical tool in tracking, registering, and recalling vehicles, offering a standardized way to recognize the vehicle’s manufacturing pedigree. Thus, the WMI not only tags the vehicle’s brand but also anchors it geographically and typologically.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Lotus Esprit

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
Example VIN: SCCDC08224HA10584
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 2004 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 2004 Lotus Esprit:

Known VDS for a 2004 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 2004 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 2004 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H	Hethel		United Kingdom		SCCDC08224HA10584

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Lotus Esprit

The final 6 characters in a 2004 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 2004 Lotus Esprit’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 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. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side. Your Lotus Esprit’s VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Examine the front of the engine block. On the Lotus Esprit, the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Look at the rear wheel well. Try looking above the tire; sometimes, the VIN is placed in the well area on a Lotus Esprit.
Check beneath the spare tire. In some vehicles, including the Lotus Esprit, the VIN might be found in the area where the spare tire is stored.

What info can a 2004 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2004, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN unveils that the vehicle was manufactured in Hethel, United Kingdom, which may provide insight into its geographic origin and potentially its build quality.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can provide specifics like its V-Shaped, 3.5-liter engine with 8 cylinders for the Lotus Esprit Turbo model, showcasing its performance capabilities.
Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates that the vehicle’s class is identified as a Coupe with 2 doors, hinting at its design and passenger capacity.
Safety Features: Safety specifications, including front airbag locations for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and the use of manual seat belts, are encapsulated within the VIN, indicating the vehicle’s protective measures.
Performance Features: The presence of a turbocharger is confirmed from the VIN, suggesting enhanced performance and efficiency for the Lotus Esprit.
Restraint and Security Systems: The VIN details restraint systems like active belts, underscoring the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety and security measures.

Don’t have your 2004 Lotus Esprit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 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	2004
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*4H
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCDC08224HA10584