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 3965

  • 9135046 1969 Europe
    Feb. 6, 2026
  • 62109627 1976 USA via San Francisco
    Feb. 3, 2026
  • 02083989 1970 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    Jan. 30, 2026
  • 12061784 1971 USA via Grand Rapids
    Jan. 29, 2026
  • 02002228 1970 USA via Los Angeles
    Jan. 27, 2026
  • 72131807 1977 Deutschland via Kiel
    Jan. 25, 2026
  • 92107237 1979 Germany via Münster
    Jan. 22, 2026