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Sat 27 Oct 2018 11:45

scan tools - Phil B911

I have been looking at buying a scan tool but I need some advice on what features are worth paying for. scan tools start from about £20 and can go for thousands for professional level tools.

I would like to here some forum members experiences

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Sat 27 Oct 2018 13:00

scan tools - hardway

If you stated what is was going to be used for you'd get a better answer.

Cheap scan tools are a waste of cash.

And I'm including all the parts you buy because of the cheap scan tool!!

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Sat 27 Oct 2018 13:33

scan tools - RT

Buy a scanning tool that's designed for your make of car, eg Ross-Tech VCDS for VW Group cars.

If you want something for all brands, you're up into workshop money.

If you want something cheap and cheerful, the Torque ELM327 Pro (£12) or Carista Bluetooth OBD2 (£16) - but don't expect perfection.

Edited by RT on 27/10/2018 at 13:37

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Sat 27 Oct 2018 15:36

scan tools - KJP 123

Any recommendation for Peugeot, in particular a 207?

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Sat 27 Oct 2018 17:23

scan tools - hardway

Definitely Peugeots "Diagbox",

Pugs are one of those that only like genuine Peugeot software.

Or your paying over 2K.

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Mon 29 Oct 2018 11:02

scan tools - Phil B911

I own a fiat and a Vauxhall and will probably get a Toyota next so I'm looking for something that will work across different makes. As for capability I have seen some decent readers for about £100. Launch do a tool that is also capable of programing as well as analysing alot of data. It is almost professional level for about £600 but that maybe overkill for my needs. But really I am not sure what I need

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Mon 29 Oct 2018 12:04

scan tools - Railroad.

There's a big world of scantools and you have lots of choice of what to go for, but there isn't any single piece of equipment that will do literally everything. A cheap tool serves a useful purpose, but they are usually limited to engine emission data only which is inline with European On Board Diagnostics (EOBD). These will not give you manufacturer specific codes or data, and will not read any control module except the engine, and even then you will only get emission related data. I have an Autel MS509 which is very useful providing you remember and accept what it's purpose is. Autel do more comprehensive scantools which cover more but the price then increases. Also remember that nothing you buy is future proof, so I would consider what you are going to need it for and decide from there.

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Mon 29 Oct 2018 16:20

scan tools - Phil B911

. Also remember that nothing you buy is future proof, so I would consider what you are going to need it for and decide from there.

That's a good point and for the number of times I will use it it is probably not worth investing too much money. Launch and Autel seem to offer the best vale for money

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Mon 29 Oct 2018 14:48

scan tools - hardway

Though I've never used/owned the launch it does it does seem to be good kit.

It will probably do what you want.

See if you can find an ex demo unit,

Usually discounted.

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