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 2591

  • 32224854 1973 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    yesterday
  • 9133556 1969 Italy via Bologna
    yesterday
  • 42084022 1974 Canada, New Brunswick via St. John
    Feb. 28, 2021
  • 02243679 1970 Deutschland
    Feb. 27, 2021
  • 22007296 1972 Germany via Stuttgart
    Feb. 26, 2021
  • 22073602 1972 Not specified
    Feb. 26, 2021
  • 82010029 1978 USA via Jacksonville, Honolulu
    Feb. 25, 2021