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 3984

  • 12210319 1971 Deutschland via Stuttgart
    March 19, 2026
  • 62140131 1976 Germany via Münster
    March 19, 2026
  • 52136402 1975 USA via Portland
    March 16, 2026
  • 42144144 1974 France
    March 12, 2026
  • 12246252 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    March 11, 2026
  • 8100477 1968 USA via Seattle
    March 8, 2026
  • 12128713 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    March 6, 2026