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 3166

  • 72096632 1977 Germany via Ludwigsburg-Nord
    yesterday
  • 12139443 1971 Germany via Nürnberg
    Aug. 7, 2022
  • 42123172 1974 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    Aug. 6, 2022
  • 42123174 1974 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    Aug. 6, 2022
  • 42054292 1974 Sweden, West
    Aug. 4, 2022
  • 9052809 1969 USA via Boston
    Aug. 4, 2022
  • 02000490 1970 Unknown (U7)
    Aug. 4, 2022