Hi All, I’m looking to get something VAG specific that can read and clear fault codes. There are tonnes of them out there. But I’m looking for opinions on some relatively cheap ones. I don’t want to mod or anything, just be able to clear/reset any warning lights, reset service lights and possibly register new batteries etc. I’m looking at the Ancel VD700 but it says it does VAG cars up to 2022. Will it do post 2022 cars as well? I’ve searched for the answer online and can’t find it. I’ve got a 2023 Fabia. I know the OBDEleven exists but requires subscriptions and in-app purchases, but I think it goes beyond what I need it for. Thanks.

As I understand it virtually any ODB2 scanner can read and clear fault codes for cars before 2024, which is when VAG added additional security measures. Mine is a basic wifi ELM327 device that I bought for £6.50 nearly a decade ago. I've used it with a free Android app called Car Scanner ELM OBD2 to read and clear the codes on our 2016 Fabia Mk3 (and my 2011 BMW). I even used it the other day to register a new battery, though I paid the optional £5 upgrade to the pro version of the app before doing so. It would have been fine even on the free version as far as I know, but I felt like making a donation to the developer. There were a lot of 'at your own risk' warnings but I took a punt and it was fine. The developer of that app has some recommendations on ELM327 devices here: https://www.carscanner.info/choosing-obdii-adapter/

Being able to reset service lights, easily/properly code optional changes and run bidirectional tests (remote actuation of motors and locks etc) are all additional features, and as you mentioned typically require a more expensive device and/or subscription fees. Have a look here: https://iamcarhacker.com/

I didn't bother in the end as my old thing worked fine, but I was considering the Vgate iCar Pro 2S (£30 from Amazon) to use with the app above. For bidirectional testing and resetting service lights I was looking at the Xtool A30D (£63 on eBay with 20% code that runs out later today), that one doesn't need a subscription. It doesn't do coding though. That website above recommends the Mucar BT200 Max (also £63 with eBay code today) which can do bidirectional testing and reset service lights, doesn't need a subscription, and apparently also can act as a basic ELM327 device with some apps, so you could in theory use the free app I mentioned for coding - at your own risk. If it works.

Probably the easiest and best supported alternative to all this is to just buy an OBDEleven and cancel the subscription once you've done what you want/need to. They use a credits system for doing coding I believe, and currently have an offer on with 200 credits (no idea what this is 'worth') for about £60. I believe you can do bidirectional testing with it too, but I don't know if this requires a live subscription, credits or what.

Hope this helps. As you may tell, I did a lot of reading on all this myself over the last couple of weeks...

PS mine looks exactly like this. I suppose I got lucky when I bought it. 🤣

On 16/12/2025 at 09:18, MURVAG82 said:

I’m looking at the Ancel VD700 but it says it does VAG cars up to 2022. Will it do post 2022 cars as well? I’ve searched for the answer online and can’t find it.

Because i'm also interested in the topic, i'm looking at both the VD700 https://www.anceltech.com/product/detail?id=1166651578459877376 and the VD500 https://www.anceltech.com/product/detail?id=1085346504295575552 and I don't see anywhere that it says they're not compatible with VAG after 2022. Where did you see that ?

It’s because VW brought out SFD protection I think in 2020 or 2022 so it limits what cheaper scanners can do.

Here’s part of a conversation I had with a seller.

I already have the Advancer Pro dongle which can do many things, I might just stick with that.

Mine is a Fabia mk4 Style - 110PS - DLAA engine - 6speed - December 2022.. .

How can i be sure about ?

Some more info here: https://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/SFD

So it looks like your 2023 car will have SFD but not SFD2.

Yep, I was aware of that thanks. I suppose I’m just looking for a scanner to do the basics. I think, although I’ve little knowledge on the matter, that SFD & SFD2 are more for mods and coding etc so I’m assuming most OBD scanners will do what I want. But like I said originally, I’m not sure which one to get and I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for one either.

I went for an OBDEleven in the end. There’s only one function I want to switch off, the lane assist 🤬 So it’ll do that, register a new battery and clear faults so that’s good enough for me.