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 2392

  • 22173862 1972 USA via San Francisco
    yesterday
  • 22155994 1972 Sweden, North
    yesterday
  • 8058176 1968 USA via Boston
    yesterday
  • 32056867 1973 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    Dec. 2, 2020
  • 92077053 1979 Germany via Wiedenbrück
    Dec. 2, 2020
  • 12095337 1971 USA via San Francisco
    Dec. 2, 2020
  • 02191507 1970 USA
    Dec. 1, 2020