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 4002

  • 42080867 1974 Deutschland via Baden-Baden
    yesterday
  • 72123886 1977 The Netherlands
    April 28, 2026
  • 9048554 1969 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    April 27, 2026
  • 22212250 1972 Not specified
    April 25, 2026
  • 52054170 1975 Not specified
    April 25, 2026
  • 32095235 1973 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    April 23, 2026
  • 42165699 1974 Deutschland via Wiesbaden
    April 21, 2026