1989 Volkswagen Vanagon: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

3 builds left the factory as a 1989 Vanagon, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 2 main configurations
  • 70 vehicles built
  • 4 for sale right now

Which Vanagon is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Vanagon

What actually differs

BUS(Vanagon) Camper
For sale right now 1 3
Vehicles built 35 33
Same on every 1989 Vanagon
  • Engine 2.1L 4-cyl
  • Power 90 hp
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body VAN
  • Typical price today $20,900
Will it hold value?

A Vanagon typically keeps about 80% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $22,450 today.

Vanagon depreciation by year →
Cost to run

14/15 mpg city/highway. Roughly $3,320/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1989 Vanagon

Safety, in plain English

What WV2YB025-K means

WV2 YB025 · K
WV2
the World Manufacturer Identifier Volkswagen registered — assembled in Germany
YB025
together encode the Vanagon line — VAN, 2.1L 4cyl — as Volkswagen filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
K
in position 10 — model year 1989
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
1 rare configuration — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Vanagon?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.