The M-plate is one of the identification plates found on VW busses. Short for Mehraustattung (optional extras in German), it contains production codes with information about equipment, manufacturing date, destination, specs and more.

Find it

Model years 68-76

Image modified from The Samba forum and album

Before model year 1977: the M-plate is located on the metal partition behind the driver's seat (passenger's seat for RHD vehicles).

Model years 77-79

Image modified from The Samba forum

Model year 1977 and after: the M-plate is located under the dashboard, on top of the metal fresh air pipe.

Decode it

M-plate decoder

image/svg+xml CC CCC CCC M01 M01 M01 M01 M01 PPPPII DD D M02 M02 M02 M02 UUUU TTTT AA E XX X

Use the automatic decoder to find out more about the original configuration, equipment and extras for a Type 2 bus. Simply choose the model year and fill in the M-plate fields.

Decode an M-plate»

M-plate submissions 3827

  • 72149071 1977 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    April 22, 2025
  • 32177896 1973 USA
    April 22, 2025
  • 42054788 1974 USA
    April 17, 2025
  • 52003308 1975 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    April 17, 2025
  • 02075541 1970 Germany via München
    April 14, 2025
  • 02075547 1970 Germany via München
    April 14, 2025
  • 42118022 1974 USA via Baltimore
    April 8, 2025