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 3408

  • 62152612 1976 Deutschland
    today
  • 32175116 1973 Germany via Hildesheim
    May 28, 2023
  • 52095633 1975 Deutschland via Lüneburg
    May 28, 2023
  • 9163430 1969 France
    May 24, 2023
  • 42008402 1974 Greece
    May 24, 2023
  • 92148159 1979 USA via Los Angeles
    May 23, 2023
  • 22013522 1972 USA via Baltimore, Philadelphia
    May 20, 2023