Am I missing something in the small print or is this a very good deal ?

Is there any questions that need to be asked before going ahead with it ?

I know it's ebay so not always the best place for these thing but guy has 100% positive feedback

eBay UK

VCDS DIAGNOSTIC SCAN SERVICE Fault Codes Read Coding STOC...

VCDS Diagnostic Scan Service. Price is £20.00 for a basic vcds scan. VCDS Tweaks. Long Coding. We will provide you with detailed diagnostic report. New Battery Coding. MMI Coding. Module Coding.

Edited 17 September, 202517 Sep by Brian15

Ask them what version of VCDS they are using and which cable as the older cables will not work fully with newer cars.

The eBay auction states: Genuine 'Fully Licensed' VCDS software with our VCDS HEX-NET Interface

£20 seems fare enough, if it's already a VIN unlocked cable it doesn't actually cost them anything apart from their time to do a scan.

They are likely hoping you'll then want more work doing and can make some money that way...

If it's this one it should be ok but after 2020 there are some models with protected diagnostics and you have to buy (I presume there is a cost attached) a token for access from VAG.

If they are going to give you a print out/email of a full scan it seems like a reasonable deal as long as you don't have to pay if they can't connect for any reason. All VCDS can do via a scan is to tell you what each 'controller' is complaining about. It is often quite a long way from there to a fix. You will also end up with a very handy record of all of the part numbers and current software codings of each item on the car VCDS can communicate with.

For £199 (if you don't mind being limited to 3 particular cars) you could buy a legal registered cable and use it as often as you like. There are many options the car has you can change via the diagnostics (locking/lighting/warning tones etc) to suit your preferences as well as reading codes and looking at live data from each sensor. It's quite a steep learning curve but I think it's well worth the price considering updates are free for life.

Edited 17 September, 202517 Sep by Rheumy

Splitting hairs, you can scan as many cars as you want on a VIN-limited cable. You only need to use a VIN if you're going into detail.

I normally say £20 cash in hand for a scan and report on my driveway, so if it's a garage doing that for the same money, I'd say that's excellent value.

Edited 17 September, 202517 Sep by StevesTruck

5 hours ago, Liger1956 said:

Ask them what version of VCDS they are using and which cable as the older cables will not work fully with newer cars.

And if it's anything later than 25.3 (or beta 25.7), as of today 17 Sep 2025, ask them why they haven't updated it? f it's not kept updated then this often means it's a pirate clone.

If you just want a scan and health report and delete error codes then other scan tools can do that, and more.

£20 isn't unreasonable if you are happy to pay it but just plugging a scan tool in isn't full diagnostics if you have an issue or issues on the car. The scan tool may or may not point to the correct item or area causing the issue or issues and it depends how diligent the user is.

For just a health report before and after deleting error codes I think I'd prefer £10 but 20 minutes of scan tool diagnosis or messing around with the car's settings is fine for £20 - if that's where it ends. As put it seems like a "loss leader" to get you through the doors as an advertising tool - or for more profitable work.

Why not see if there's a Briskoda member near you that can do a scan and health report and delete error codes for beer tokens? - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com-vcp-owners/#comment-3091029

Edited 18 September, 202518 Sep by nta16
spelling

Depends what you're trying to do.

It's a good price, but bear in mind for £30 more you can buy your own OBD11 tool to use whenever you like. If you need coding then you should be able to find someone friendly on here with VCDS.

FWIW remember some stuff on your car will be under SFD 1. @Cairus will be able to offer more.

I was called, how can I help?

It's interesting what he can do with VCDs on the MQB Classic and MQB EVO. He should add which platform it is to his list. VCDs are almost useless on the MQB or EVO. However, I think VCDs has a very good error log and backup function. I bought an unlimited V2 years ago and paid €460 back then.

1 hour ago, Cairus said:

It's interesting what he can do with VCDs on the MQB Classic and MQB EVO. He should add which platform it is to his list. VCDs are almost useless on the MQB or EVO. However, I think VCDs has a very good error log and backup function. I bought an unlimited V2 years ago and paid €460 back then.

It's a 2019 Octavia, so VCDS still has some use, although comparatively limited to old models.

I still think the most cost effective solution to scan codes would be ODB11.

You can't use VCDs on the airbag control unit anymore, nor can you use other standard tools. Only online via ODIS or other expensive tools. You can't add keys anymore; the 7-digit PIN is no longer available. CS encryption is required because of the immobilizer. Coding without SFD is useful, yes. Starting with SFD 1, it's been put in a drawer for me.