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 3817

  • 72059162 1977 USA via Baltimore
    yesterday
  • 92023536 1979 Switzerland
    March 24, 2025
  • 32171240 1973 Germany via Düsseldorf
    March 22, 2025
  • 22238406 1972 Greece via Salonica
    March 22, 2025
  • 32002245 1973 USA via Portland
    March 19, 2025
  • 42118292 1974 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    March 18, 2025
  • 32082199 1973 Not specified
    March 13, 2025