Hi guys,

I have been looking to get some diagnostic tools for my 05 Fabia estate and have managed to purchase an old copy of VAGCOM 409-1 without the lead and have come to a bit of a dilema. You can download version 10 of the VAGCOM software from the website but you still need to purchase the lead you cant contact technical support without paying a registration fee of $99 to find out if any of the older leads will work with the software.

So my question is:

If I use the the downloaded VAGCOM 10.6 will it work with a 409-1 lead from amazon (Link to amazon

or will the lead above and the software I have purchased work fine with my car even though my car was produced later than the software was written?

Also I have come across this U281 handheld device and was wondering if this would also be ok U281

Any advice, expirience or guidance welcome (I will probably purchase the newer version when a bit more flush with cash).

Or if anyone has a vagcom and is near Wrexham I could borrow that would be great too!

Cheers

Ben

The vag-com 10.6 software will only work with the appropriate lead. Older leads are not compatible because the license key for VCDS as its now called is incorporated into the lead.

The vag-com 10.6 software will only work with the appropriate lead. Older leads are not compatible because the license key for VCDS as its now called is incorporated into the lead.

Thanks for the info do you know at what version the lincence key was incorporated?

Any versions above 409.1 and VCDS-lite need the appropriate lead.

Any versions above 409.1 and VCDS-lite need the appropriate lead.

Is there anywhere you can get the older leads from? And if so are they any cheaper?

just found these two what do you guys think?

10.0.6

908

just found these two what do you guys think?

10.0.6

908

I'm wondering if those are actually counterfeit cables. I understand there have been some counterfeit cables going around and when Ross Tech finds them (the company that makes Vag com/VCDS) the cables mysteriously no longer work in a software update, so if you buy something like that a) not good for ross-tech, no support, c) you're pretty much stuck with that version of software and no updates.

Here's the give away really "Please note that this cable only works with the software supplied which should never be updated." I certainly wouldn't spend £55 on a counterfeit product.

I'm wondering if those are actually counterfeit cables. I understand there have been some counterfeit cables going around and when Ross Tech finds them (the company that makes Vag com/VCDS) the cables mysteriously no longer work in a software update, so if you buy something like that a) not good for ross-tech, no support, c) you're pretty much stuck with that version of software and no updates.

Here's the give away really "Please note that this cable only works with the software supplied which should never be updated." I certainly wouldn't spend £55 on a counterfeit product.

If your only buying it for your car do you really need the updates? Should everything you need be in the software anyway?