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 4007

  • 42092966 1974 USA via San Francisco
    today
  • 62095681 1976 Not specified
    yesterday
  • 02140903 1970 USA via Los Angeles
    May 5, 2026
  • 52149539 1975 USA via Baltimore
    May 3, 2026
  • 9013497 1969 USA via New Orleans
    May 2, 2026
  • 42080867 1974 Deutschland via Baden-Baden
    April 29, 2026
  • 72123886 1977 The Netherlands
    April 28, 2026