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 3509

  • 32014787 1973 USA via Washington D.C.
    Sept. 30, 2023
  • 02033013 1970 USA via San Francisco
    Sept. 29, 2023
  • 62156404 1976 Unknown (EG)
    Sept. 29, 2023
  • 12169245 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    Sept. 25, 2023
  • 12198910 1971 USA via Chicago
    Sept. 25, 2023
  • 02047593 1970 USA via Boston
    Sept. 24, 2023
  • 32167860 1973 USA via Miami
    Sept. 22, 2023