Skip to content

Lotus VIN Decoder

Colin Chapman founded Lotus in 1948 around light weight and handling. It builds cars at Hethel, Norfolk, including the Elise, Exige, Evora and Emira.

Built before 1981?

Can I decode a Lotus VIN from before 1981?

Not yet. A Lotus built before 1981 used a shorter, manufacturer-specific number rather than the 17-character standard, and our classic decoder does not cover Lotus so far. Every VIN searched there is recorded, and the makes people look up most are the ones we add next.

Try the classic decoder
Classic Lotus VINs Not yet Every VIN searched is recorded, and the makes people look up most are added next.
Reading a Lotus VIN

What do the first three characters of a Lotus VIN mean?

Lotus road cars begin SCC. Lotus also engineered cars for other makers, so a Lotus-developed car such as the DeLorean or Lotus Carlton carries its own manufacturer’s code, not SCC.

What each of the 17 positions means

The 17 positionsSCC …
  • 1–3Manufacturer
  • 4–8Vehicle details
  • 9Check digit
  • 10Model year
  • 11Plant
  • 12–17Serial number
Have a Lotus VIN in hand?Decode it free — no account needed.
Other makes

VIN decoders by country

United States

Japan

United Kingdom

Italy

Germany

South Korea

Sweden

France

Want to keep this VIN?

Save it to your free garage and check later whether the car is still on the road.

Start a free garage