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 2322

  • 82059671 1978 Unknown (KX)
    yesterday
  • 02181427 1970 USA via San Francisco
    yesterday
  • 22037233 1972 USA via Los Angeles
    yesterday
  • 9067919 1969 USA via Houston/San Antonio
    yesterday
  • 02091269 1970 USA via Portland
    Oct. 25, 2020
  • 9209322 1969 USA
    Oct. 25, 2020
  • 32116780 1973 USA via Honolulu (changed to Hawaii)
    Oct. 25, 2020