I could never justify a VCDS cable, but I would occasionally find it handy to read any fault codes from my Octavia and also my GF's 04 Punto. I see there's loads of sub-£20 code readers on eBay, but can anyone suggest which are good and which are a waste of money?

I bought one similar to this (please note im not linked to the seller in any way, just as an example), mine has a few extra buttons (up, down enter and exit) instead of the 2 on this one but anyway, its similar.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-FAULT-CODE-READER-ENGINE-SCANNER-DIAGNOSTIC-RESET-TOOL-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-EOBD-/230871772324?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item35c107aca4

 

Mine cost me £15, which i feel was a pretty good deal. However it has a few draw backs,

 

1) Not completely compatible with all types of OBD2 for example it does K-Line,ISO9141-2 and a few others but some cars it hasnt worked with, for example it could not connect to my mates 2.0L Diesel Mondeo. So try and find which OBD2 comunication protocol your cars use and buy one for it.

2) Only shows current faults, unlike VCDS it wont show faults which may have occurred a while ago, it will only show Engine Management faults currently in the system, it cannot clear airbag or ABS/ESP lights..

3) generic Fault codes, maybe slightly ambiguous if there is a specific VAG fault code occuring.

 

 

But if it is for simply checking the EML faults and clearing them, its brilliant. I lost count of how many times my EML came on my old Fabia while fault finding the EGR system. Mine can also do a basic "Readiness" and real-time data checks so i could find which sensors were playing up/out of tolerance and to see if sensors such as the MAF/MAP were working.

 

Personally Id buy one of the £20 ones from ebay, try it out and see what you think. 

I was impressed with my Gendan GCR05 which has helped me greatly although not hugely advanced!

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I have a cheap code reader which sits by the spare wheel of the car. I'm not sure what brand, but its from ebay.

I've been pleased by the results, it tells me the code, I Google it, I then have some idea on what's wrong. Just a useful tool for diagnosing an issue.

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I have this VGATE scanner. Got it from ebay but not sure who.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VGate-VS450-Scan-VW-Audi-Seat-Skoda-Fault-Code-Reader-Engine-ABS-Air-Bag-Scanner-/230877952400?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item35c165f990

 

I have found it useful for knowing what's wrong before going to a garage.

 

It was able to clear ABS/ESP lights,  but then they came back :-(

Edited 12 May, 201412 yr by Aspman

Scanguage II - not cheap but nice

Got a Gendan T55 - VAG specific and does the job for both generic OBD II and VAG specific modules.  Well worth the £65 I paid for it.

 

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VAGT55.html