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 3834

  • 8005687 1968 Not specified
    today
  • 92073106 1979 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    yesterday
  • 32253644 1973 USA via Grand Rapids
    May 12, 2025
  • 72164152 1977 USA
    May 8, 2025
  • 72027371 1977 USA via Chicago
    May 5, 2025
  • 22124401 1972 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    May 3, 2025
  • 22106630 1972 USA via Portland
    May 2, 2025