Many posts in this forum refer to cars showing 'fault' messages, and it is often suggested that the owner take their car to a pal who has diagnostic equipment.  However this is not always convenient.
 
I have fitted a neat little Scangauge unit to my Mazda MX-5 and I am delighted with it.  It is reasonably priced and there is a good review here:

http://www.carbibles.com/productreviews_scangauge.html

I mainly find it useful for continuously displaying fuel consumption etc., which my MX-5 cannot normally do.

Can anyone whio is more clued-up than me please advise: would such a unit, if fitted to an Ocatavia (or any other car I suppose) enable an owner to determine the actual diagnostic fault code, and then email this code (or post it on a forum) so that those who are able to analise such codes could reply "If it shows fault code XXXXXX, that means your exhaust temperature sender (or whatever) is faulty"?

IVE JUS BROUGHT ONE OF THESES

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Interface-Scanner-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B007XPPKVO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392208185&sr=8-2&keywords=Mini+ELM327+V1.5+Bluetooth.

 

Took some buggering around as my headunit isnt android, but i had a play and managed this using an android phone i had laying around and a few cables and converters

 

 

Android torque!! cool app... also the same £7 elm 327 bluetooth scanner

My scangauge pulls fault codes directly from the ECU. Recently my emissions light popped up; I hit scan and up came the code P0441. This pointed me to the Evap System fault, replaced the N80 valve and all good again.

 

Awesome piece of kit- even reads my air to fuel ratios!

 

Has paid for itself twice over since having it, simply by saving me diagnostic costs at a garage.

My scangauge pulls fault codes directly from the ECU. Recently my emissions light popped up; I hit scan and up came the code P0441. This pointed me to the Evap System fault, replaced the N80 valve and all good again.

 

Awesome piece of kit- even reads my air to fuel ratios!

 

Has paid for itself twice over since having it, simply by saving me diagnostic costs at a garage.

.

Yup - great little bit of kit and good value.  Spread the word!

I enjoy mine in the my MX-5  where I have been able to fit it in the dashboard under the radio where it looks completely OEM.

But - where can you get an analysis of any actual fault codes, please?

.

But - where can you get an analysis of any actual fault codes, please?

Most code readers / apps (eg torque) will have accompanying descriptions of most of the codes, but failing that just putting into google "p01234 octavia" or "p4567 corsa" or whatever will turn up good results