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 2815

  • 72157884 1977 USA via New York
    yesterday
  • 8148644 1968 USA via Los Angeles
    July 26, 2021
  • 12211157 1971 Not specified
    July 26, 2021
  • 9027678 1969 Italy via Bologna
    July 24, 2021
  • 62033982 1976 Not specified
    July 24, 2021
  • 72122773 1977 USA via San Francisco
    July 23, 2021
  • 52094171 1975 Sweden, North
    July 23, 2021