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 2722

  • 42183769 1974 Germany via Frankfurt am Main
    May 11, 2021
  • 22003610 1972 USA
    May 10, 2021
  • 52078382 1975 Unknown (139)
    May 10, 2021
  • 22022071 1972 USA via Los Angeles
    May 10, 2021
  • 52002353 1975 Not specified
    May 10, 2021
  • 22190794 1972 Not specified
    May 10, 2021
  • 42183768 1974 Germany via Frankfurt am Main
    May 9, 2021