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 4016

  • 52053172 1975 USA via Portland
    May 28, 2026
  • 02190836 1970 Not specified
    May 26, 2026
  • 8183622 1968 North America, North America
    May 24, 2026
  • 8138615 1968 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    May 21, 2026
  • 8138616 1968 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    May 21, 2026
  • 9127696 1969 USA via Los Angeles
    May 19, 2026
  • 42134362 1974 Mexico, Veracruz
    May 15, 2026