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 3993

  • 62144670 1976 USA via Los Angeles
    April 3, 2026
  • 12196407 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    March 29, 2026
  • 92126342 1979 Israel
    March 28, 2026
  • 32156981 1973 Austria via Salzburg
    March 24, 2026
  • 32156982 1973 Austria via Salzburg
    March 24, 2026
  • 32156983 1973 Unknown (0R)
    March 24, 2026
  • 92122641 1979 Belgium
    March 24, 2026