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 3210

  • 22205869 1972 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    Oct. 1, 2022
  • 32044710 1973 United Kingdom via Ramsgate
    Oct. 1, 2022
  • 9030768 1969 Unknown (H0)
    Sept. 27, 2022
  • 8019394 1968 USA via Los Angeles
    Sept. 26, 2022
  • 82090405 1978 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    Sept. 22, 2022
  • 12200959 1971 Deutschland via Fulda
    Sept. 21, 2022
  • 9131710 1969 Not specified
    Sept. 20, 2022