Volkswagen Bus M-Code Number Definitions

Bus plate with m code numbers from a 1967 T1 VW Bus
Starting in October 1958, Volkswagen attached an "M-Code" plate (sometimes called a "bus plate") to every Type-2 vehicle they manufactured. This 3 ½" by 1 ¾" metal plate is stamped with groups of numbers that describe your bus's unique characteristics (like body style, VIN number, year/month of manufacture, original interior/exterior colors, etc.). But one of the most interesting bits of information stamped in this plate, are the 3-digit "M-codes" (Mehrausstattung codes) that indicate the special options and accessories that were installed on your bus by the Volkswagen Factory. Look for the M-code plate attached to the metal bulkhead panel behind the front passenger's seat (regardless of whether your bus is a walk-thru, or bench seat model) with 2 small screws or pop rivets. By deciphering the numbers on your bus's M-code plate, you can learn a lot about what your bus looked like when it rolled off the assembly line!
The image above is an M-Code plate from a '67 Kombi, with M-codes of 425, 080, 114, 139 and 177 to show you where the codes are usually stamped in the plate. Note that when your bus was manufactured, this plate, and the attaching screws, were painted over when the interior was painted. It's exciting to use the M-codes to trace the history of your bus, but unfortunately, Volkswagen was not always diligent about stamping in the M-codes, so sometimes an option or accessory was installed but the corresponding 3-digit M-code was never stamped in the plate. In addition, documentation available from Volkswagen is not as thorough as we'd like, so the true meaning of some of these 3-digit codes is still a mystery! But hopefully the list of M-codes below will help you learn a little more about your bus, and the options and accessories that were originally installed by Volkswagen.


"Split Window" T1 VW Bus (1950 - 1967)

M004 - Dust-free air intake for pickup trucks
M010 - Dust filters for the engine compartment
M013 - Wood trim and middle and rear seats, in the cargo area
M015 - Windshield washers
M015 - Three seat bench seat in cargo area (Australia)
M016 - Pickup truck with a "double cab", before Nov 1958
M017 - Tail lights and brake lights combined
M019 - Headlight flasher (Emergency vehicles with 200w generator)
M020 - Speedometer in miles-per-hour, instead of kilometers-per-hour
M021 - Doors lockable, outside and inside
M023 - LHD Panel Van with side cargo doors on left side (until 1959)
M024 - Sealed-beam headlights & red tail lights (Canada & USA)
M024 - Sealed-beam headlights, side turn signal lights, backup lights
M025 - Six pop-out side windows, and USA-spec bumpers
M025 - Seat belt mounting sockets installed
M026 - Activated charcoal exhaust filter (Canada, USA, Japan)
M027 - Fog lights
M027 - Windshield washers (Australia)
M028 - Ambulance model, without stretchers
M029 - Tow hooks, front and rear
M030 - Headlight flasher & license plate lamp (Austria)
M030 - Type 21 or 23 bus painted in primer
M031 - Type 22 or 24 bus painted in primer
M032 - Locking gas cap
M032 - Brake turn signals (Italy, Australia)
M033 - Rear flashing hazard lamps (Italy, Australia)
M033 - LHD Kombi with cargo doors on left side (until 1959)
M034 - Side flashing hazard lamps and modified emergency brake lever
M035 - Pickup truck with re-inforced sides
M035 - Side turn signal lights
M036 - Parking light warning lamp, side turn signals, modified emergency brake lever (Italy)
M037 - No flashing hazard lights (Italy, France)
M040 - Speedometer with fuel gauge
M043 - Complies with Swiss Government regulations
M046 - Side turn signal lights (Italy, Denmark, Norway)
M047 - Backup lights
M051 - Setup for twin power generators
M052 - Rear cargo hatch with no window
M053 - Rear cargo hatch with window (thru February 1955)
M054 - Full width dashboard (thru February 1955)
M055 - Dual Ceiling Ventilation fan (thru February 1955), different from M121
M056 - Steering wheel/ignition switch lock
M057 - Walk-thru front seats (thru February 1955)
M057 - Wood slats for pickup truck bed included, but not installed
M059 - Thermostatically-controlled carburetor preheat solenoid unit
M060 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (Ambulance and pickup trucks)
M062 - Side mirror mounted on passenger side
M062 - LHD Microbus with cargo doors on left side (until 1959)
M064 - Pickup truck with no tail gate and no side gates
M065 - Information plate indicating the "axle weight limit"
M066 - Rubber floor mat in cargo area
M069 - Same as M103, but for Kombi with sliding cargo door on left side
M070 - Frame and canvas tarp cover ("tilt" and "bows") for pickup truck bed
M071 - Second storage locker under pickup truck bed
M072 - Vinyl headliner for Microbus and Deluxe (standard Kombi from October 1963)
M074 - Mud flaps at the rear
M075 - Mud flaps, front and rear
M077 - 88 amp-hours battery for arctic climates
M077 - Double cab pickup truck painted in primer
M078 - Single cab pickup truck painted in primer
M080 - Walk-thru front seats in LHD vehicle (Panel Van and Kombi)
M081 - Walk-thru front seats in LHD vehicle (Deluxe and Microbus)
M082 - Walk-thru front seats
M083 - Walk-thru front seats
M087 - LHD Kombi with sliding sunroof and cargo doors on left side (until 1959)
M088 - LHD pickup truck with storage locker under bed, on left side (until 1959)
M089 - Windshield with laminated safety glass
M090 - Windshield with laminated safety glass (export markets)
M091 - Whitewall tires
M092 - Lower rear end gear ratio for mountain driving (export markets)
M093 - "Behr" ceiling ventilation fan (until 1955)
M094 - Locking engine lid
M095 - Radio ("Wolfsburg" brand)
M096 - Radio ("Braunschweig" brand)
M097 - Radio ("Emden" brand)
M097 - Rear bumper (until 1955)
M099 - Tubeless Mud and Snow tires
M100 - No front "VW" emblem
M101 - Mud and Snow tires, but no front "VW" emblem (type 21F firetruck)
M102 - Rear window defroster
M103 - Heavy duty shock absorbers
M105 - Heavy duty front transmission mounts
M105/I - "Telefunken" brand radio in Deluxe or Microbus (European market)
M105/II - "Telefunken" brand radio in Deluxe or Microbus (export market)
M106 - Heavy duty shock absorbers
M107 - Bumper overriders
M108 - Westfalia Camper Conversion (SO42 model)
M112 - High altitude carburetor jets (up to engine# 3 580 000) also with M155 option
M113 - "Safari" (opening) windshield window panes (export markets)
M114 - Six pop-out side windows (export market)
M115 - Pickup truck with special lower cargo floor area
M116 - No side vents in cargo area (Panel Van)
M118 - Pickup truck with no tail gate and no side gates
M119 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (Panel Van, Microbus, Deluxe and Kombi)
M121 - Fresh air ceiling fan (ambulance fan)
M123 - Special radio supression equipment (export markets)
M124 - Headlights with yellow bulbs (France)
M125 - Michelin-X steel belted radial tires (export market)
M127 - Rear cargo hatch with no window (Kombi, Microbus, Panel Van)
M129 - 34hp engine
M130 - Deluxe bus with no sliding sunroof and no skylight windows
M132 - "Safari" (opening) windshield with laminated safety glass panes (export market)
M137 - Braking system has dual master cylinders (export market)
M137 - Kombi setup as fire personnel carrier (type 23F Kombi)
M139 - Sealed-beam headlights and all red tail lights (export markets)
M140 - Fire Truck setup for Germany (type 21F firetruck)
M141 - Heater vents in cargo area
M142 - Laminated safety glass in side windows; Kombi, Microbus (export markets)
M142 - Sliding cargo door on left and right side
M143 - Laminated safety glass in side windows; Deluxe bus (export markets)
M144 - Laminated safety glass in side windows; Ambulance (export markets)
M145 - Safety door locks on sliding side cargo doors
M146 - Same as M013, but for 7 seat bus with cargo doors on the right side
M149 - Chrome trim painted over
M150 - Ambulance setup for Germany (from 1959, includes windshield washer)
M151 - Ambulance with Eberspächer gasoline heater and ambulance ceiling fan
M152 - Rear cargo hatch with extension (ambulance)
M155 - Air cleaner with Cyclone air filter (export market)
M156 - Second rear view mirror (until 1956)
M156 - Large capacity oil-bath air cleaner
M157 - Pollution control equipment on engine, to control emissions
M160 - "Bosch" siren and blue light on roof
M161 - Panel Van with Sliding cargo door on one side
M162 - Panel Van with sliding cargo doors on both sides
M163 - Microbus with Sliding side cargo door
M163 - Same as M161 but with sealed-beam headlights (for export markets)
M164 - Deluxe bus with sliding side cargo door (1960 on)
M164 - Front flashing hazard lights
M165 - Same as M161, but with front flashing hazard lights
M168 - 6-volt, 88 amp-hour battery (up to chassis 216 190 000)
M169 - Kombi with sliding side cargo door
M171 - Tires with "heavy load" rating
M172 - Brake fluid reservoir is visible (Benelux countries)
M173 - Engine setup for arctic climates (with engine compartment insulation)
M175 - Bumper overriders, except pickup trucks (export markets)
M176 - Bumper overriders, for pickup trucks (export markets)
M177 - Rear seat, but no middle seat
M178 - 1200cc engine with RPM limiter device installed
M180 - Rear seat, but no middle seat
M181 - Chrome hubcaps
M183 - Walk-thru front seats in RHD vehicle (Panel Van and Kombi)
M184 - Walk-thru front seats in RHD vehicle (Samba and Microbus)
M186 - Seat belts on middle and rear seat in cargo area (export markets)
M187 - Asymetrical headlights on LHD vehicle
M188 - Asymetrical headlights on RHD vehicle
M191 - Protective panels ("Belly Plates") on underside of subfloor
M192 - Plain body shell, ready for camper conversion
M193 - Semaphore red side turn signal indicators
M194 - Larger side view mirrors
M195 - Adjustable front bench seat (until 1963)
M196 - Asymetrical headlights for left hand traffic countries
M199 - Swiveling driver's seat (Panel Van, Camper conversion)
M199 - Seat belt mounting sockets installed
M199 - Flip seat (Westfalia camper conversions)
M200 - Pickup truck with wider pickup bed
M201 - Pickup truck with extended wooden bed
M202 - 1200cc motor (from Jan 10, 1964 until Jan 10, 1965)
M203 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (Double Cab Pickup Truck)
M207 - Frame and canvas tarp cover ("tilt" and "bows") for Double Cab pickup truck bed
M208 - Towing package
M209 - Seating for 9 people (hinged cargo doors on both sides)
M210 - Panel Van with cargo doors on both sides, but no dividing partition
M211 - Seating for 9 people (sliding cargo doors on both sides)
M215 - 1500cc motor and 1-ton rating (standard from Oct 1964, except Deluxe & Microbus)
M216 - 1500cc motor (until Oct 1964)
M220 - Limited-slip differential
M221 - High roof panel van with side sales flap door
M222 - High roof panel van
M223 - Westfalia Pickup truck with special lower floor, without wood slats in bed
M224 - Westfalia Pickup truck with special lower floor, with wood slats in bed
M225 - VW Dealership breakdown-service emergency vehicle
M240 - L-code motor with dished pistons and lower compression, for low octane gas
M246 - Eberspächer gasoline heater
M303 - Complies with Italian government regulations
M360 - M164 and M178 option packages (USA export)
M361 - Special package consisting of codes M168, M181, M192 and M199
M362 - North American package (M020, M024, M025, M090, M176, M620) for pickup trucks
M367 - Special package consisting of codes M020, M024, M090, M142, M175, M361
M368 - Special options package (South Africa)
M369 - Special package consisting of codes M020, M024, M113, M132, M142, M175, M361
M396 - Complies with United Kingdom government regulations (RHD, amber turn signal lights)
M415 - Pickup truck with longer bed
M425 - Seat belts insalled in mounting sockets
M430 - North American package (M020, M024, M025, M090, M175, M620) for Kombi,
            Microbus, Panel Van
M502 - Patterned hardboard interior side paneling (Kombi and Panel Van)
M503 - Patterned hardboard headliner (Kombi and Panel Van)
M504 - Patterned hardboard bulkhead paneling (non walk-thru front seats)
M505 - Patterned hardboard bulkhead paneling (walk-thru front seats)
M510 - Hardboard partition with window, separating cab from cargo area
M513 - Protective skid plates, under transmission area
M515 - Articulated chassis
M515 - Pickup truck with wider bed
M520 - Sliding side cargo door on left and right side
M525 - Seat belts installed in mounting sockets (USA market)
M527 - Larger rear tailgate
M529 - Hardboard partition with sliding window, separating cab from cargo area
M530 - Side running board automatically slides out when cargo doors are opened
M531 - Stiffer rear suspension for heavy loads
M535 - Tachometer installed
M539 - Side running board automatically slides out when cargo doors are opened
M543 - No seats in cargo area (Deluxe and Microbus)
M546 - Flashing hazard lights mounted on roof at the rear
M616 - Backup lights
M620 - 12-volt electrical system (standard from Aug. 1966)
M621 - 12-volt hazard warning lights (except Ambulance)
M623 - 12-volt electrical system, setup for short-wave radio installation
M718 - Red Cross Emergency Vehicle lighting
M729 - Michelin-X tubeless steel belted radial tires


"Bay Window" T2 VW Bus (1968 - 1979)

M010 - Additional dust protection in engine compartment (211-274)
M013 - Interior trim panels and middle and rear bench seats (231, 235)
M019 - No headlight flasher; to chassis 219 300 000 (211-274)
M020 - Speedometer in miles-per-hour instead of kilometers-per-hour (211-274)
M024 - Sealed-beam headlights, side turn signals and backup lights; from chassis 210 2000 001)
            (211-268), for export but not to USA or Canada
M024 - Sealed-beam headlights; to chassis 219 300 000)
            (211-268), for export but not to USA or Canada
M026 - Activated carbon canister to control emissions, for California only, (211-274)
M029 - Towing hooks, front and rear; to chassis 211 2300 000 (211-268)
M030 - Headlight flasher and simultaneous license lamp for LHD models, Austria only (211-271)
M032 - Locking gas cap; to chassis 211 2300 000 (211-274)
M034 - Side turn signals and modified emergency brake lever, for Italy (211-274)
M037 - No flashing hazard lights, for France and Italy only (211-274)
M046 - Side turn signal lights on LHD vehicle; chassis 219 060 789 to 219 300 000 with
            rear view mirror, Denmark only (211-271)
M047 - Backup lights; to chassis 211 2300 000 (211-268)
M050 - Warning light for brake dual master cylinder (211-274)
M053 - Cloth interior, instead of vinyl (221-228, 241, 244)
M054 - Locking glove box door (221-228, 241, 244)
M055 - Steering wheel lock; to chassis 219 300 000 (211-274)
M062 - Convex side view mirror on right side and short stem on interor rear view mirror
            to chassis 219 300 000, Sweden only (211-271)
M062 - Sun visor with no mirror, on passenger's side; from chassis 211 2000 001
            Sweden only (221-225, 241)
M070 - Frame and canvas tarp cover ("tilt" and "bows") for pickup truck bed (261, 264)
M071 - Additional drop-side gate on pickup truck bed (261, 264)
M074 - Rear mud flaps (211-268)
M089 - Windshield with laminated safety glass (211-268)
M092 - Lower rear end gearing for mountain driving (211-274)
M102 - Rear window defroster (211-268)
M103 - Heavy duty shock absorbers (211-274)
M119 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (211-244)
M121 - Fresh air ceiling fan (ambulance fan) (211-274)
M123 - Special radio supression equipment; for export markets (211-274)
M124 - Headlights with yellow bulbs, and safety-framed rear-view mirror; France (211-274)
M127 - Rear cargo hatch with no window (211-235)
M130 - No steel sliding sunroof panel (241, 244)
M140 - Fire engine equipment model (231, 235)
M145 - Safety locks on rear hatch and sliding cargo door (211, 215)
M146 - Interior trim panels, middle and rear bench seats (231, 235)
M150 - Ambulance equipped to "DIN 75 080" specifications (271)
M151 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (271, 274)
M155 - Air cleaner with Cyclone air filter, for export markets (211-274)
M156 - Large capacity oil-bath air cleaner (211-274)
M157 - Pollution control equipment on engine, to control emissions; USA only,
            engine# B 5 000 000 to B 5 230 000, and engine# AE 0 000 001 to
            AE 0 529 815 (211-274)
M160 - "Bosch" siren and blue light on roof (271, 274)
M187 - Asymetrical headlights on LHD vehicle (211-274)
M194 - Side view mirrors on left and right sides (211-268)
M201 - Pickup truck with extended wooden bed (261, 264)
M203 - Eberspächer gasoline heater (265, 268)
M207 - Frame and canvas tarp cover ("tilt" and "bows") for Double Cab pickup truck bed (265, 268)
M208 - Equipped with a towing package (211-274)
M220 - Limited-slip differential (211-274)
M221 - Windows in passenger area can be opened; from chassis 212 2000 001
            (211, 215, 231, 235, 261, 265)
M222 - Windows in passenger area can not be opened; to chassis 212 2000 001 (231, 235)
M240 - Motor with dished pistons and lower compression, for low octane gas (211-274)
M248 - Lock on ignition switch but not steering wheel; from chassis 210 2000 001 (211-274)
M251 - 1700cc motor (66hp) instead of 1600cc motor (50hp); USA only (211-241, 271)
M252 - 1300cc motor (44hp) instead of 1600cc motor (50hp); Italy only (211-274)
M258 - Headrests on front seats for driver and passenger (211-274)
M500 - Front bench seat with bulkhead panel behind seats (i.e., non walk-thru model) (211-244)
M501 - Middle bench seat for 2 passengers (211-244)
M502 - Patterned hardboard interior side paneling (211, 231)
M503 - Patterned hardboard headliner (211-216, 231, 234)
M504 - Fresh air fan in cargo area (211-216, 231-235, 265, 268)
M506 - LHD models with brake servo and dual master-cylinders (211-271)
M507 - "Wind wing" swiveling quarter windows in cab doors, left and right (211-235, 261-274)
M508 - Window in sliding cargo door, and in passenger area, opposite sliding cargo door, can be
            opened; from chassis 212 2000 001 (221-244)
M508 - Windows in passenger area, opposite side with sliding cargo door, can be opened;
            to chassis 212 2300 001 (221-244)
M508 - Double cab pickup; Windows in passenger area, including passenger compartment door,
            can be opened; from chassis 212 2000 001 (265-268)
M509 - Larger oil-bath air cleaner, engine compartment has extra dust proofing, and air vent
            in engine compartment has dust screen (261-268)
M510 - Bulkhead model with hardboard partition with window, separating cab from cargo area (211-216)
M511 - LHD vehicle with padded dashboard (211-271)
M513 - Protective skid plates, under transmission area (211-274)
M514 - Heater with "re-circulating air" feature (211-244, 271, 274)
M515 - High roof Panel Van with taller side sliding cargo door to match (211)
M516 - High roof Panel Van with plastic roof panel (211, 214)
M518 - Camper conversion with fiberglas "pop-top" roof (231, 234)
M519 - Air vents (211, 214)
M520 - Sliding cargo door on left and right side (221-244)
M521 - Chrome trim package, sun visor with mirror (to chassis 219 300 000) or without sun visor
            (from chassis 210 2000 001) (221-228)
M524 - Dual master-cylinders, sealed-beam headlights, backup lights, turn signal lights,
            LHD from chassis 219 000 001. Without hazard flashing lights from chassis 210 2000 001,
            ignition lock with warning buzzer (211-265) USA and Canada. From chassis 212 2000 001,
            (211-241) USA and Canada
M525 - Seat belts installed in mounting sockets (USA and Canada)
M527 - Exhaust emissions control device, Japan and Sweden only, from engine# AD 0 000 001
            (211-274)
M527 - Exhaust emissions control device (in conjunction with M156 & M240) Japan only,
            from engine# C 0 000 001 to C 0 100 000 (211-274)
M528 - Convex side view mirror on right side, LHD vehicles (211-265)
M529 - Bulkhead front seat with hardboard partition with sliding window, separating cab
            from cargo area (221-244)
M530 - Side running board automatically slides out when side cargo door is opened (211-244)
M531 - Heavy-duty rear torsion bars and rear suspension (221-228, 241, 244)
M533 - Alarm system to deter theft and break-ins (221, 225, 244)
M535 - Tachometer installed (211-274)
M537 - Transistor light instead of ceiling dome light (221-228, 241, 244)
M601 - Special package: (padded dashboard, dual master cylinder) to chassis 218 220 000 (271)
M601 - Special package for LHD vehicles: (M047, M102, padded dashboard, dual master cylinders,
            hazard warning lights) to chassic 218 220 000 (211-268)
M602 - Special package for LHD vehicles: (padded dashboard, dual master cylinders,
            hazard warning lights) to chassic 218 220 000 (211-268)
M652 - Intermittant windshield wipers (211-274)
M623 - Setup for short-wave radio installation, for German Armed Forces (211-274)
M659 - Front fog lamps with Halogen bulbs (211-274)
M663 - RHD vehicle with headrest on driver's seat only, Japan only (214-274)
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