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 3851

  • 82145757 1978 USA via Portland
    June 1, 2025
  • 52037511 1975 USA via Portland
    June 1, 2025
  • 62146149 1976 USA
    June 1, 2025
  • 32037304 1973 USA via Baltimore
    June 1, 2025
  • 42141076 1974 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    June 1, 2025
  • 52024123 1975 USA via San Francisco
    June 1, 2025
  • 82028687 1978 USA via Los Angeles
    May 31, 2025