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Looking for the VIN?
Here is there you’ll find it:
Since 1981, every Lotus car has carried a unique 17-character vehicle identification number standardized by the ISO Institute. Our VIN decoder reveals manufacturing details, specifications, and potential red flags that protect buyers from costly surprises when purchasing any used car and making reasonable and informed decisions.
Decoding your Lotus VIN provides instant access to essential vehicle details and history.
Your vehicle identification number appears in several standard locations for easy access.
| Key Risk | Impact on Buyers | Mitigation Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Theft Risk | Lotus cars are 2.7× more likely to be targeted for theft. It's due to rarity and resale value. | Match the sequence on the title, chassis, and windshield. Use EpicVIN or NICB to detect clones. |
| Unrepaired Safety Recalls | 13.5% of Lotus vehicles in the U.S. have at least one unresolved NHTSA recall. | Check the NHTSA website using the VIN. See the recall status before signing any paperwork. |
| Depreciation Over Time | Lotus models lose 37% of their value within 5 years. It's faster than most luxury brands. | Use VIN tools like EpicVIN to verify trim level and factory options that affect resale. |
| Odometer Rollback Fraud | 8.9% of pre-owned Lotus cars show mileage inconsistencies. It's often due to salvage rebuilds. | Use NMVTIS-linked services, e.g., EpicVIN. Trace mileage changes over time. |
| Hidden Flood or Salvage History | 15.3% of Lotus cars listed in 2024 had prior flood or total loss titles. | Cross-check VIN in state title records and NMVTIS. Avoid unseen damage. |
Minimize risks: Check the car's VIN. Use official databases, e.g., NMVTIS. Highlight hidden damage, rolled-back mileage, or undervalued pricing. Compare auction photos and carefully study repair reports.
| Issue | Affected Models, Symptoms, Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Clamshell Alignment Failure | Elise (2005–2011): Rear or front clamshell misalignment after minor impacts. Repair requires realignment or full panel replacement. Average cost: $3,000–$6,500. |
| Oil Cooler Line Detachment | Elise & Exige (2005–2007): Sudden oil loss due to faulty crimped lines. Often causes engine damage. Typical symptoms – oil puddles and pressure drops. Repair cost: $2,500–$8,000. |
| Gearbox Synchronizer Wear | Evora (2010–2014): Difficulty shifting into 2nd or 3rd gear. Caused by synchro ring wear. Full gearbox service is often required. Repair cost: $4,200–$7,800. |
Here's the standard VIN format, uncovering the car's production features and technical specifications:
There are some other details that our Lotus owners should know:
Here's what our Lotus VIN decoder can uncover from a sample sequence (using VIN: SCCLMDSU5EHA10784):
| Symbols | Sample | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S | Great Britain as the country of origin |
| 2 | C | Lotus as a manufacturer |
| 3 | C | Passenger car vehicle type |
| 4-8 | LMDSU | Body style, engine type, restraint system, model line, and trim level |
| 9 | 5 | Check digit for validation |
| 10 | E | 2014 model year |
| 11 | H | Hethel, UK assembly plant |
| 12-17 | A10784 | Individual vehicle serial number |
Year 2011
Make Lotus
Model Evora
Fuel Type Gasoline
Engine 3.5L V-Shaped 2GR-FE
Made in
A complete Lotus VIN check reveals comprehensive facts and vehicle history data.
Our VIN decoder flags Lotus flood damage even when titles appear clean - auction photos don't lie.— Alex Black, CMO, EpicVIN
Positions 4-8 contain engine codes. For example, Elise models show different codes for the Toyota 2ZZ-GE versus supercharged variants.
Position 10 indicates the year. "E" - 2014, "F" - 2015, and so on.
Check some common locations. These are the dashboard near the driver's windshield, the door jamb sticker, and the chassis plate in the engine bay area.
Yes. Enter your VIN number on the NHTSA website. Check for open safety recalls and service campaigns.
Yes, European Lotus vehicles use different country codes but follow the same 17-character format as U.S. vehicles.
"H" typically indicates Hethel, a UK assembly plant, where most Lotus cars are manufactured for global markets.
Yes, VIN patterns and market codes help identify parallel imports versus official U.S. dealer vehicles.
Yes, our database archives auction images and sale records permanently tied to each vehicle identification number.
Full vehicle history report reveals title brands, insurance claims, and auction records indicating water damage.
Engine swaps, data errors, or VIN cloning can cause mismatches between actual and interpreted engine details.
Locating your Lotus VIN is straightforward. The primary location is the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield. For added verification, check the driver's side door jamb, where manufacturers typically place a VIN plate. The engine bay firewall also contains this information, and it's listed on your vehicle registration documents. For classic Lotus models, like Lotus Elise, the VIN location might vary, so consulting your owner's manual is recommended.
Like a license plate lookup, a comprehensive Lotus VIN decoder reveals crucial details about your vehicle, from manufacturing specifics and original equipment to engine and transmission configurations. It provides a full vehicle history report with safety features, production details, build dates, color codes, and trim levels. The decoder also identifies export market designations, compliance certifications, and special edition status.
Yes, our Lotus vehicle owner lookup service delivers comprehensive vehicle history reports. These reports include ownership transfers, maintenance records, and accident history. The Lotus VIN decoder helps identify potential red flags like title washing or odometer tampering. For collectors and enthusiasts, this detailed information proves invaluable when authenticating rare Lotus models, like Lotus Elise, or verifying original specifications.
Validating a Lotus VIN involves several steps:
– Confirm the 17-character length.
– Verify the World Manufacturer Identifier matches Lotus.
– Decode the VIN against manufacturer production records.
– Validate the check digit calculation.
– Compare physical VIN plates for consistency.
– Cross-reference with registration documents.
– Verify through authorized Lotus databases.
All the steps presented will help you successfully decode Lotus VIN and search for the vehicle's main characteristics to make sure that your car is safe.
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