As per title really..

 

Is it worth the relatively minor investment of a code reader when venturing out to see used Skodas?

If it made a difference, the cars in question would be Mk1 vRS estates.

 

If yes, which one would be the one to get?

This is something I do, though I didn't buy one just for that purpose.

If you have an android phone, get any ELM 327 Bluetooth one off eBay. If you have an iPhone you need a wifi one. Price will be £10-15.

Yeah, I was glad I had one.

 

It was good to have a heads up as to what any problem was before I went to the garage. But then I'm paranoid and don't trust anyone.

 

I got a vGate scanner - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-VS550-OBD2-Scanner-Reader/dp/B0063FSIQ4

 

Think I only paid about £30 off of Ebay, cheaper ones probably work just as well.

This is something I do, though I didn't buy one just for that purpose.

If you have an android phone, get any ELM 327 Bluetooth one off eBay. If you have an iPhone you need a wifi one. Price will be £10-15.

 

I have a couple of ELM327's too, handy wee gadgety things. You can get the ELM327 for a lot less than that on ebay, price inc delivery from £2.32(China) - £4.49(UK). It's only really a generic OBDII code reader and it showing no codes doesn't mean there are not any recorded which would show up with using the likes of a cheapy VCDS Lite cable etc. 

What would you do if the seller didn't like the idea of you plugging a code reader in?

 

Cheapy VCDS Lite cable?? Erm.. help??

 

I have a rough idea of what VCDS is (seems the same kinda thing as Vauxhalls OpCom) but further than that I'm a bit lost.

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by Evil

Cheapy VCDS Lite cable?? Erm.. help??

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/23-diagnostics-vcds/

 

VCDS:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vag-com-VCDS-Genuine-VAGCOM-Software/121900356994?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107092241%26meid%3D3dde4e05f0574e92b1e57f02d360bfa5%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D161717467805

 

Ross tech:

http://www.ross-tech.com

 

Gaz

Edited 3 March, 201610 yr by V6TDI

What would you do if the seller didn't like the idea of you plugging a code reader in?

 

Cheapy VCDS Lite cable?? Erm.. help??

 

I have a rough idea of what VCDS is (seems the same kinda thing as Vauxhalls OpCom) but further than that I'm a bit lost.

Pretty much exactly the same thing as opcom

What would you do if the seller didn't like the idea of you plugging a code reader in?

You tell them you're going to have to assume it has faults and walk.

You tell them you're going to have to assume it has faults and walk.

See.. that was my thought too. 

But when I mentioned to swmbo that I'd ordered a code reader type affair (for when we go to view cars) she said she wouldn't be at all happy if someone came to view a car we were selling and wanted to plug one in.

She knows what they are, what they do and that.. until motherhood and now being my carer she was a mechanic for many years - some of those at a main dealer.  :think:

I was a mechanic for years at a main dealer and always carry a cheap obd2 reader in the glovebox. Always plug it in and check codes when viewing cars. Either do them on road tests or just plug in when dealer isn't around

I wouldn't have a problem with it on a car I was selling but I doubt I'd bother when buying.