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 3349

  • 82098054 1978 Deutschland via Unna
    yesterday
  • 82044636 1978 USA via Seattle
    March 22, 2023
  • 82044635 1978 USA via Seattle
    March 22, 2023
  • 72045123 1977 USA via Portland
    March 21, 2023
  • 12155867 1971 USA via Chicago
    March 19, 2023
  • 02043376 1970 Canada, Alberta
    March 19, 2023
  • 12098919 1971 Switzerland
    March 19, 2023