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 3932

  • 12135799 1971 Canada, Alberta
    yesterday
  • 62042998 1976 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    Nov. 5, 2025
  • 8071543 1968 USA via San Francisco
    Nov. 2, 2025
  • 02209401 1970 USA via San Francisco
    Nov. 2, 2025
  • 82043071 1978 Not specified
    Oct. 31, 2025
  • 02098392 1970 USA via Honolulu (changed to Hawaii)
    Oct. 30, 2025
  • 12098096 1971 Schweden, South
    Oct. 25, 2025