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 3858

  • 8177913 1968 Canada via Vancouver
    today
  • 32122827 1973 France
    June 18, 2025
  • 42153411 1974 USA
    June 15, 2025
  • 42146445 1974 USA via Los Angeles
    June 15, 2025
  • 22182361 1972 USA via Portland
    June 12, 2025
  • 62108376 1976 Deutschland via Euskirchen-Kuchenheim
    June 11, 2025
  • 52117774 1975 Unknown (EA)
    June 5, 2025