For automotive professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts in 2018, selecting the right OBD2 scanner was crucial for effective vehicle diagnostics and repair. While technology has advanced, understanding what constituted a “best” professional automotive OBD2 scanner in 2018 provides a valuable baseline for evaluating current options and understanding enduring needs in vehicle diagnostics. It’s important to consider if the features and capabilities sought after then are still relevant today, and if scanners from that era hold any value in the modern automotive landscape.
Back in 2018, for comprehensive vehicle analysis that went beyond basic OBDII functionalities, a simple, low-cost Bluetooth ELM 327 dongle paired with a phone app often fell short. These budget-friendly options, typically around $13, were primarily designed for reading standard OBDII data. They lacked the sophistication to access non-OBDII systems, meaning crucial information like oil level – while indirectly indicated by OBDII codes related to sensor malfunctions – couldn’t be directly read. Brands like VeePeak, even in their offerings back then, clearly stated the limitations of their entry-level models to OBDII scanning only. Achieving deeper diagnostics, such as accessing non-OBDII communication networks within a vehicle, required more specialized tools, similar to the capabilities offered by professional systems like VIDA/DiCE.
Alt: Professional automotive OBD2 scanner interface displaying diagnostic data.
At the more accessible end of the professional spectrum in 2018, the Autel DiagLink emerged as a noteworthy contender. Priced around $90-$100, the DiagLink offered enhanced capabilities beyond basic OBDII for a single car brand. Its unique selling point was the inclusion of one free, brand-specific software package, downloadable and installable directly onto the device. This allowed professionals specializing in a particular brand to perform tasks such as resetting oil change lights and managing electronic parking brakes – functions often beyond the reach of generic OBD2 scanners in that price range. However, the limitation was its single-brand focus. Expanding its capabilities to other brands required purchasing additional software licenses from Autel, each reportedly around $10. For brand-specific shops or mechanics dedicated to a single marque, the DiagLink presented a cost-effective professional solution in 2018, especially considering its advanced functions for the price.
Alt: Autel DiagLink professional OBD2 scanner for single car brand diagnostics.
For automotive professionals requiring broader diagnostic coverage across multiple vehicle brands in 2018, tools like the Autel MD806 were essential. With a price point around $200, the MD806 represented a step up in versatility. While internally similar in hardware to the DiagLink, the MD806’s software architecture allowed for multi-brand functionality without the need for separate software downloads for each brand. Furthermore, it typically included free software updates for the tool’s “lifetime” – a term commonly understood in software to mean the practical support lifespan of the device, rather than literal eternity. Despite the eventual obsolescence of long-term updates, the Autel MD806 offered significant value. It provided a comprehensive set of diagnostic features suitable for most independent mechanics and serious enthusiasts, bridging the gap between basic OBD2 readers and much more expensive professional-grade equipment. For those needing frequent and varied diagnostic work, the MD806 was considered among the best value professional automotive OBD2 scanners available in 2018.
Alt: Autel MD806 multi-brand professional OBD2 scanner with color display.
In conclusion, while the “Best Obd2 Scanner 2018 Professional Automotive” might seem dated, the core needs and solutions highlighted in that era remain relevant. The distinction between basic OBDII readers and professional-grade multi-system scanners, the trade-offs between brand-specific and multi-brand tools, and the value proposition of scanners like the Autel DiagLink and MD806 all provide a useful context for understanding the current OBD2 scanner market. For professionals in 2018 and today, the right scanner depends on their specific needs: brand specialization versus broad coverage, and the depth of diagnostic capabilities required.
