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 3945

  • 02030070 1970 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    yesterday
  • 62138183 1976 Germany via Ludwigsburg-Nord
    Dec. 3, 2025
  • 22022840 1972 USA via Portland
    Dec. 2, 2025
  • 72068310 1977 Germany via Nürnberg
    Dec. 1, 2025
  • 9169600 1969 USA via Los Angeles
    Nov. 29, 2025
  • 02208201 1970 USA via San Francisco
    Nov. 27, 2025
  • 72001190 1977 USA via Portland
    Nov. 24, 2025