The best Automotive scan tools are one of the best investments you can make, whether you’re a professional mechanic, an auto enthusiast who enjoys working on their vehicles, or someone who wants to avoid high diagnostic costs at your local dealership.
The most excellent automobile scan tool doesn’t have to be expensive and can frequently be justified after only one use. You may diagnose several systems and functions of your car.
These functions include the airbag, engine, emissions, suspension, anti-lock brake system, and several other parts, using an OBD (on-board-diagnostics) code reader.
The current generation of OBD2 scanners is more affordable and capable than you might expect, whether you’re sick of dragging your car to the neighborhood parts store or want a tool that can provide you with more information.
We’ll go over everything you need to know to choose the best automotive scan tools for your car in this thorough guide to the top ones available:
1. Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808 OBD2 Scanner
The Autel MK808 is the ideal scan tool for you if you’re looking for one that can complete all your scanning needs.
Additionally, 85 car brands and models are compatible with it, reading all engine, PCM, TCM, ABS, and other codes. It also provides several useful features that show current data while you troubleshoot.
Additionally, this Autel scanner offers thorough reports that inform you of the most probable source of a problem.
It contains more than 25 maintenance buttons that make fixing cars simpler. These functions include oil resets, injector coding, bleeding, battery registration, and many others.
Although this Autel scanner costs more than average for a tool used for at-home scanning, it offers more than makeup for a higher price.
Also included with the Autel MaxiCOM MK808 are a 1-year warranty and round-the-clock customer assistance.
However, it costs under $125 for yearly updates, allowing you to add new vehicles and get the most recent troubleshooting instructions. But you can still utilize the same things you’ve used all year without buying these updates.
2. Launch CRP129E OBD2 scan Tool
Launch CRP129E OBD2 scan Tool is also one of the best Automotive Scan tools on the market. It is a less expensive variation of the Autel scanner that we previously looked at.
Although it has many of the same capabilities, it is less compatible with a greater variety of automobiles. But that doesn’t mean it is deficient. It supports more than 57 different automakers and more than 10,000 different vehicle kinds.
Additionally, it includes simultaneous live data tracking for up to 10 separate data sources. It has numerous maintenance capabilities, including tools for oil resets, TPMS resets, battery voltage testing, and steering angle calibration.
The Launch CRP129E offers free lifetime updates and supports nine different languages. Furthermore, you won’t need to spend any more money after purchasing this scanner to keep it functioning with the most recent autos that arrive at the business.
Of course, this scanner can read the codes from the engine, TCM, PCM, ABS, and any other system your car might have. What distinguishes this scanner from others is the extensive 5-year warranty that it comes with.
Even though the full features, free lifetime upgrades, and lower upfront cost are lovely, make this the last scanning gadget you purchase.
3. BOSCH Automotive Scan Tool with AutoID, Live-Data, ABS & Graphing
This Bosch scanner is an excellent choice if you want to save some cash but still get a lot of functionality out of your scan tool.
With its compatibility with over 50 different automobile makes and models, this Bosch scanner will be able to help you diagnose problems in almost every vehicle on the road today.
It’s so versatile that it can read the codes from your vehicle’s ABS, ECT, ECU, and other systems. And because it’s designed to work with both OBDII and OBD1 protocols, you don’t have to worry about whether or not your vehicle uses one or the other.
You’ll find that this Bosch scanner has a large LCD screen showing detailed information about what’s happening inside your vehicle.
It also monitors your vehicle’s speed, RPMs, fuel level, coolant temperature, and more. This tool can perform diagnostic checks, check tire pressure, reset idle speed, calibrate the steering wheel, and test the brakes.
All of these functions are available through the easy-to-use menu system. Furthermore, the Bosch scanner lets you view your vehicle’s performance history graphs.
These graphs show how your vehicle’s performance has changed over time. This helps you determine when something may have gone wrong with your car.
4. Actron CP9690 Elite OBD2 AutoScanner
Even though we concentrated on OBD2 scanners for these studies, we know that older automobiles can carry codes. Before 1996, OBD1 was the norm, and standardized OBD2 codes became required.
Both OBD1 codes for GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Toyota vehicles are read by this scanner. From there, all newer OBD2 automobiles’ codes are read.
Although this scanner appears straightforward, don’t be misled about its capability. Furthermore, this scan tool can display real-time data from more than 300 different sensors and inputs throughout your car, just like the scan tools with better looks.
Additionally, you can freeze frame data to take the extra time to gather all the data you require to troubleshoot a car effectively.
5. BlueDriver Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool
Next on our list of best Automotive scan tools is the blue driver Bluetooth OBDII scan tool. Why shouldn’t your scan tool follow the rest of the world and use mobile devices?
Even while this OBD2 scanner doesn’t seem like much at first glance, when used in conjunction with their mobile app, it transforms into a complete automotive diagnostic equipment that can assist you in fixing any vehicle.
Additionally, it functions flawlessly on both Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, but you’re out of luck if you have an old-fashioned device that can’t run the program.
This thorough scan program provides you with your engine code and links you to a vast database that automatically creates repair reports so you can fix your car.
Moreover, they are free to program upgrades, simple data saving and screenshotting capabilities, and interaction capabilities are all provided by the BlueDriver.
6. ANCEL FX2000 Vehicle OBD2 Scanner
The following best automotive scan tool on our list is the ANCEL FX2000 Vehicle ODB2 Scanner. This tool is a bit different from the others on our list.
It’s a standalone unit that connects directly to your vehicle’s computer port. However, it does come with a USB cable, which makes it easier to connect to your smartphone or tablet.
In addition to reading your vehicle’s codes, this scan tool also offers many other features such as reading fuel injection settings, checking coolant levels, monitoring airbag status, and checking battery voltage.
You not only receive a terrific discount on the scan tool up front, but they also don’t nickel and dime you later on with free lifetime updates.
The Ancel FX2000 can only read basic engine codes for some cars made after 1996. However, it can still read codes for any vehicle having an OBD2 system. Furthermore, you won’t be able to use live data streaming or other sophisticated features.
7. Autel MaxiScan Pro OBD2 Scan Tool
Our last best automotive scan tool is the Autel MaxiScan pro OBD2 Scan Tool. It’s one of the most popular OBD2 scanners available today. This scan tool has been around since 2002, and its popularity continues to grow.
This scan tool has a large LCD screen, making it easy to view and interpret the information displayed. Moreover, it has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, allowing you to work without worrying about running out of power.
With this scan tool, you’ll access over 100 million lines of code, including more than 50,000 trouble codes. Furthermore, this scan tool allows you to monitor multiple vehicles simultaneously.
8. AutoMeter OBD2 Scan Tool (Blue)
If you want to save money, then the AutoMeter OBD 2 Scan Tool (Blue) is the right choice. This scan tool can read your vehicle’s codes, check the coolant level, monitor airbag status, and even check your battery voltage.
All these features make this scan tool one of the best automotive tools available today. With this scan, you will get access to over 100 Million lines of code, including over 50,000 trouble codes, and you can monitor up to 5 vehicles at once.
It also has a large display screen, making it easy to view and interpret the displayed data.
9. OBDeleven Pro Diagnostic Scan Tool
Last on our list of best automotive scan tools is the OBDeleven Pro Diagnostic scan tools. The OBDeleven Pro should be at the top of your selection for a scan tool if you drive an Audi, VW, or other VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) vehicle.
No matter your experience level, using this Bluetooth-enabled scanner is superficial despite having numerous sophisticated features.
This scan tool offers a comprehensive array of features and is compatible with Android smartphones. Furthermore, the OBDeleven allows users to run a variety of diagnostic tests and has access to a large number of vehicle DTCs.
Additionally, the OBDeleven Pro will benefit technically savvy consumers when trying to validate repairs and re-learn some automated vehicle features.
In conclusion, we’ve listed the best automotive scan tools currently available. We hope our list helps you find the perfect automotive scan tool for your needs.
