I've been reading that many users have been using OBD11 branded OB2 readers. As the pricing on obd11 is a bit pricey, I'm wondering if there's any other OBD readers out there that can do the same task at the lower cost 😉

I have a odb2 reader which I got from AliExpress couple of years ago, whilst using Car Scanner ELM OBD app, but it hasn't been able to catch any error codes. So I am presuming there may be a special device for VAG vehicles.

1 hour ago, Octawia said:

I've been reading that many users have been using OBD11 branded OB2 readers. As the pricing on obd11 is a bit pricey, I'm wondering if there's any other OBD readers out there that can do the same task at the lower cost 😉

I have a odb2 reader which I got from AliExpress couple of years ago, whilst using Car Scanner ELM OBD app, but it hasn't been able to catch any error codes. So I am presuming there may be a special device for VAG vehicles.

Yes mate. It's called OBD11, but it's a bit pricey

Has anyone tried Carista? Apparently they are certified as well. The prices seem a notch cheaper than OBD11.

I use a vcds from AliExpress, and it works great

57 minutes ago, EduardDo said:

I use a vcds from AliExpress, and it works great

That will be a rip off clone, don't expect support from Ross-Tech or us here.

Yes, being aware that you are on your own with your research about using that tool, the knowledge of vcds apply there but some clones may have bugs, errors, or may broke your car, I did my research before buying it

9 minutes ago, EduardDo said:

Yes, being aware that you are on your own with your research about using that tool, the knowledge of vcds apply there but some clones may have bugs, errors, or may broke your car, I did my research before buying it

I've owned genuine VCDS for over 20 years, and it has paid for itself many many times over with saved garage diagnostic costs as well as tweaks to my own cars plus I've helped many other VAG owners diagnose and tweak their cars - plus even a colleague with a Lexus using OBD mode.

The help I've received from the experts, both professionals and fellow enthusiasts, on the Ross-Tech website has been key on a few occasions to understanding the sometimes strange descriptions that VAG choose for faults and their gathered decades of knowledge.

So for me not having access to that support is not a choice I would make or suggest to others.

My advice would be to wait until OBD11 put on a promotion, that's what I did, bought the latest Gen 3 scanner and got a year's pro license for around £95

Has proved very useful since I bought it, if I was to never use it again I'd be happy enough with what I paid having made the minor changes it allowed me to, which make my overall experience of the Octavia IV a more pleasurable one.

Apparently with OBD11 and Carista, it is possible to unlock special functions such as remembering the setting for lane assist (off!) or going into hybrid mode automatically or keeping the audio off when you start the car.

I'm not sure if those special functions are available on other OBD tools.

4 hours ago, Octawia said:

Apparently with OBD11 and Carista, it is possible to unlock special functions such as remembering the setting for lane assist (off!) or going into hybrid mode automatically or keeping the audio off when you start the car.

I'm not sure if those special functions are available on other OBD tools.

Dunno about Carista, but I switched off lane assist (remember last setting) using OBD11, plus did a few other simple mods which enhance the pleasurability of everyday use of the car for me personally.

Bought an OBD11 directly from OBD11.Resellers in Australia wanted hundreds more. Turned off fake engine noise and lane keeping. Worth every cent.

OBD11 is the only decent one. Carista is alright, but it lacks a lot of features.

Just beware of the one click apps. They’re absolutely fine for simple stuff (acoustic locking, etc) but I’d be wary of using them for important things, unless you know exactly what’s being adapted.

On 30/01/2026 at 09:45, shempy said:

Bought an OBD11 directly from OBD11.Resellers in Australia wanted hundreds more. Turned off fake engine noise and lane keeping. Worth every cent.

Is this “basic” stuff very risky to do? I have zero experience

1 hour ago, SkodAlex4RS said:

Is this “basic” stuff very risky to do? I have zero experience

Be sure to do a back up before you try anything. Follow instructions carefully. If unsure, ask. And don't use one click apps, well I don't anyway, as they leave no traceable path of anything they change.

These things don't perform miracles, but they do unlock features in your car that, although should be unlocked as standard, aren't.