For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, understanding your vehicle’s health is crucial. In 2018, as with today’s modern vehicles, accessing the sophisticated computer systems within your car requires more than just basic tools. While a budget-friendly Bluetooth ELM 327 dongle paired with a phone app might seem appealing, these entry-level options often fall short when it comes to comprehensive diagnostics. They are primarily designed for OBDII systems and lack the capability to delve into non-OBDII systems – meaning vital information like oil level, which isn’t standard OBDII data, remains inaccessible. While OBDII can report sensor malfunctions related to oil level, it won’t provide the actual level itself. Manufacturers like VeePeak clearly state that their scanners are limited to OBDII scanning only. To truly interact with your car’s broader network, including non-OBDII communications, you’ll need a more advanced tool, similar in function to professional systems like VIDA/DiCE.
Stepping up from these basic tools, the Autel DiagLink emerges as a viable entry-level option for more in-depth diagnostics, typically priced around $90-$100. However, the DiagLink operates on a brand-specific basis. Each unit comes with software for a single car brand, which must be downloaded and installed from Autel. While this makes the DiagLink cost-effective for owners dedicated to a single vehicle brand, accessing advanced, non-OBDII functions for other brands requires purchasing additional software licenses from Autel. Priced around $10 per additional brand, this isn’t a prohibitive cost, but it’s a key consideration for users with multiple car brands or those anticipating future vehicle changes. The DiagLink’s strength lies in its ability to perform functions beyond basic OBDII scanners for its designated brand, such as resetting oil change lights and engaging electric parking brakes for service – features uncommon at this price point.
For those needing multi-brand diagnostic capabilities, the Autel MD806, priced around $200, presents a significant step forward. While internally similar in hardware to the DiagLink, the MD806’s software supports multiple car brands without requiring separate downloads for each. Furthermore, it includes free lifetime software updates, although “lifetime” typically refers to the expected lifespan of product support, not indefinite updates. Despite this practical limitation, the MD806 offers exceptional value. It encompasses the functionalities needed by most home users and DIY enthusiasts without a prohibitively high cost, especially for those who perform regular vehicle maintenance and diagnostics across different brands. For comprehensive scanning across various car makes, the Autel MD806 stands out as a strong contender for the best OBD2 scanner choice.
