How to decode a Lotus Exige VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Lotus Exige VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Lotus Exige, a high-performance sports car known for its agility and track-focused engineering, the WMI is SCC. These letters point towards Lotus Cars Ltd, the esteemed British automaker revered for its dedication to automotive innovation and racing heritage. The SCC prefix is synonymous with the Exige’s creation in Lotus’s headquarters in Norfolk, United Kingdom, a place where meticulous design meets fearless engineering. This identifier not only verifies the vehicle as a genuine Lotus product but also provides the foundation for decoding the rest of the VIN, which details the vehicle’s specifications and history.

List of WMI Codes for a Lotus Exige

WMI: SCC

Model Years Covered: 2011-2012
Example VIN: SCCLHHAC0BHA12393
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 Exige 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 Exige:

Known VDS for a Lotus Exige
LHHAC	LHHSC	LHHSA

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 Exige 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 Exige VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012 Lotus Exige
B	2011 Lotus Exige

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

Known Lotus Exige Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H			Nan	Hethel	SCCLHHAC0BHA12393

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Lotus Exige

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

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How to find a Lotus Exige’s VIN?

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

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Lotus Exige to locate the VIN, which is typically displayed on a small metal or plastic plate.
Examine the door pillar or door jamb on the driver’s side of your Lotus Exige; the VIN is often found on a label or sticker where the door latches upon closing.
Check the Lotus Exige’s service book or owner’s manual, as the VIN is usually recorded there by the dealership at the time of purchase.
Inspect the Lotus Exige’s engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto a part of the engine for identification purposes.
If you can’t find the VIN in any of these places, review your Lotus Exige’s vehicle title or registration documents, where the VIN is always listed.

What info can a Lotus Exige VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, suggesting the potential year of manufacturing and providing insights into the age and historical value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN can possibly provide information about where the Lotus Exige was manufactured, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing standards.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN might contain details about the specific specifications of the Lotus Exige, such as engine type, model trim, and body style, potentially offering valuable information about the vehicle’s build and features.
Body Class: The Lotus Exige VIN can give insight into the body class of the vehicle, possibly indicating whether it is a coupe or another body style, potentially providing understanding of the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Power: The VIN may possibly include information about the engine power of the Lotus Exige, potentially providing details on its performance capabilities and power output.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Lotus Exige

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	2GR-FE 257 kW
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Engine Power (kW)	257
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Exige
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Hethel
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United Kingdom
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	SCCLHHSC*CH
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SCCLHHSC4CHD10509