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 4055

  • 22042192 1972 USA via Baltimore, Philadelphia
    Aug. 16, 2026
  • 12250914 1971 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    Aug. 15, 2026
  • 12250913 1971 Not specified
    Aug. 15, 2026
  • 92023012 1979 Switzerland via Birrfeld
    Aug. 13, 2026
  • 82061893 1978 Austria via Salzburg
    Aug. 13, 2026
  • 12003856 1971 Germany via Stuttgart
    Aug. 13, 2026
  • 9213014 1969 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    Aug. 13, 2026