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 2679

  • 52153859 1975 USA via San Francisco
    yesterday
  • 8211345 1968 USA via St. Louis
    April 14, 2021
  • 72053418 1977 Unknown (144)
    April 13, 2021
  • 42069222 1974 USA via St. Louis
    April 11, 2021
  • 02152154 1970 Thailand
    April 11, 2021
  • 52070318 1975 Middle and South America, Caribbean Sea
    April 10, 2021
  • 12188485 1971 USA
    April 9, 2021