What is the best budget code reader on the market?

Just purchased 51 plate Tdi estate... No power steering, light on... Just want to read codes before I begin stripping and replacing!

have you got a laptop?

I have a handheld VGate VS450 that the Mrs bought me

does what it says on the tin, read codes but does not just give you a code it tells you what it is, also deletes codes

resets service intervals aswell

It's mainly for vag group cars but I have used it successfully on a few other cars as it has a few different protocols to connect

Yup I have laptop and somewhere in the dust n fluff in the garage I already have a scan cable I used on my A4 many moons ago but really did want a hand held gizmo...

I had considered a VW AUDI SEAT SKODA Pro Reader on the Gendan site @ £65 but your suggestion of the VGate VS450 seems to tick all the boxes! 

Thanks for your swift input guys

Regards Rick

Have you checked the strip fuses above the battery and any relevant ones in the cabin fusebox?(F7)

Thanks for the simple points to check... I will certainly check all relevant fuses before I delve deeper!