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 2109

  • 42075506 1974 USA via Los Angeles
    today
  • 9177171 1969 Spain, Canary Islands via Las Palmas
    yesterday
  • 12017528 1971 USA via Grand Rapids
    Aug. 8, 2020
  • 92128138 1979 Germany via Kassel
    Aug. 8, 2020
  • 22270401 1972 Canada via Vancouver
    Aug. 6, 2020
  • 02151355 1970 USA
    Aug. 6, 2020
  • 72145572 1977 Not specified
    Aug. 6, 2020