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 2013

  • 32144942 1973 The Netherlands
    today
  • 12203803 1971 Panama
    today
  • 92059532 1979 Germany via Wedemark
    yesterday
  • 9214919 1969 Unknown (70)
    yesterday
  • 8183315 1968 USA via St. Louis
    yesterday
  • 32044691 1973 Panama
    July 9, 2020
  • 12243090 1971 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    July 9, 2020