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 4035

  • 62140736 1976 Germany via Ludwigsburg-Nord
    July 7, 2026
  • 8110338 1968 Middle and South America, Caribbean Sea
    July 6, 2026
  • 72107529 1977 USA
    July 5, 2026
  • 32192650 1973 USA via San Francisco
    July 4, 2026
  • 72129448 1977 Luxemburg
    June 25, 2026
  • 22176112 1972 USA via Washington D.C.
    June 22, 2026
  • 02117602 1970 Not specified
    June 21, 2026