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 3975

  • 52104093 1975 Unknown (00)
    Feb. 26, 2026
  • 32106316 1973 USA via Portland
    Feb. 26, 2026
  • 92076801 1979 Germany via Ratingen-Lintorf
    Feb. 24, 2026
  • 22081834 1972 Großbritannien via Ramsgate
    Feb. 21, 2026
  • 12225400 1971 USA via Los Angeles
    Feb. 20, 2026
  • 32192444 1973 Europe
    Feb. 17, 2026
  • 62043349 1976 USA via San Francisco
    Feb. 17, 2026