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 3694

  • 12121830 1971 Thailand
    July 25, 2024
  • 82094734 1978 Germany via Kiel
    July 23, 2024
  • 82106209 1978 France
    July 20, 2024
  • 82102886 1978 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    July 12, 2024
  • 9226140 1969 Thailand
    July 12, 2024
  • 82102935 1978 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    July 12, 2024
  • 32054812 1973 Deutschland via Hamburg
    July 7, 2024