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 3800

  • 62051212 1976 Germany
    yesterday
  • 42161237 1974 Not specified
    Feb. 18, 2025
  • 52082014 1975 Deutschland
    Feb. 16, 2025
  • 32235816 1973 Deutschland
    Feb. 12, 2025
  • 72086388 1977 USA via San Francisco
    Feb. 12, 2025
  • 82112325 1978 Deutschland via Frankfurt
    Feb. 6, 2025
  • 82141364 1978 Germany via Frankfurt
    Feb. 4, 2025