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 2919

  • 9006812 1969 Not specified
    today
  • 62056064 1976 Italy via Verona
    yesterday
  • 32093129 1973 Yugoslavia
    Oct. 19, 2021
  • 72031209 1977 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    Oct. 18, 2021
  • 92024751 1979 Paraguay
    Oct. 17, 2021
  • 02133004 1970 USA via Los Angeles
    Oct. 17, 2021
  • 72109243 1977 Unknown (EG)
    Oct. 14, 2021