yes, mice can destroy a car...
not a vanagon, but....
3 weeks ago my parents Caprice wagon failed to start.  batt fine, but no
power going to starter.. popped the hood, and saw a mouse scurrying.
mouse nest on top of the engine, under the air cleaner.  3 baby mice in it.
they pulled the hood insulation off to make the nest.
cleaned out the mouse nest, and got back into car, turned key, still nothing,
then all the sudden the shorted wire made a connection again, and car
started.
drove like 300 miles, then car failed to start again.

turns out mouse was STILL in the car...
anyway, i saw him staring at me from inside the hood (under the insulation)
shooke the hood, he fell out, and i threw him over into the bushes..(dont
worry, im sure he's still alive)
had car towed home, and it still sits, dead.  (but with a baited mousetrap on
top of the fan shroud!! )
most likely the little rodent had chewed thru some of the wires - but i
havent been able to locate which ones..

tow truck driver said that was one of the most original stories he's heard..

chris