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 3612

  • 12267061 1971 USA
    March 11, 2024
  • 12255949 1971 USA via Washington D.C.
    March 11, 2024
  • 32114713 1973 Deutschland via Stuttgart
    March 10, 2024
  • 12097017 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    March 5, 2024
  • 82091233 1978 The Netherlands
    March 5, 2024
  • 82012676 1978 Germany via Ludwigsburg-Nord
    March 3, 2024
  • 22149519 1972 USA via Portland
    March 3, 2024