Is there any free OBD software that I can use on my pc when looking at a used Octavia III

 

I am no mechanic so the more human readable the errors are presented the better

Not free, but I got one of these for £10 from ebay and it has been very good at just reading fault codes.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005FOIC3I/ref=asc_df_B005FOIC3I58599264/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22146&creativeASIN=B005FOIC3I&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310744208542&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10906167363312999556&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045628&hvtargid=pla-564082418388

 

or

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/U480-Scanner-Car-Fault-Code-Reader-Can-Bus-OBD-Obd2-EOBD-Engine-Diagnostic-Tool/1287181463?iid=264137199175&chn=ps

 

Google does the error code to human readable conversion for you

 

This is it in action, a very simple device:

 

 

 

 

Edited 22 February, 20197 yr by Plantman

1 hour ago, Mech0z said:

Is there any free OBD software that I can use on my pc when looking at a used Octavia III

 

 

You will still need an OBD cable, not free.

3 minutes ago, xman said:

 

You will still need an OBD cable, not free.

I have a bluetooth OBD device

 

5 minutes ago, Plantman said:

Not free, but I got one of these for £10 from ebay and it has been very good at just reading fault codes.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005FOIC3I/ref=asc_df_B005FOIC3I58599264/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22146&creativeASIN=B005FOIC3I&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310744208542&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10906167363312999556&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045628&hvtargid=pla-564082418388

 

or

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/U480-Scanner-Car-Fault-Code-Reader-Can-Bus-OBD-Obd2-EOBD-Engine-Diagnostic-Tool/1287181463?iid=264137199175&chn=ps

 

Google does the error code to human readable conversion for you

 

This is it in action, a very simple device:

 

 

 

 

Will try to google the error codes :)

it's hard to read with a "standard" BT OBD device. I tried it and bit the bullet, buying carport and a cable for €40. The software to read the Bluetooth ones - well, there were some but I couldn't find the one I originally used for deleting errors any more and found nothing that was usable and / or free. Don't Biltema have a cheap reader? I thought they did. 

You also won't get any really readable errors out of it, that's not what it's for - you'll get codes like P1040, which give you a starting point for finding the issue. Still doesn't mean there's a single fix which will work, but they're a decent guide to potential problems. Also: if someone cleared them and they're sporadic, there might not be anything logged, even if there is an issue.

 

 - Bret