Best budget OBD2 unit to test cars for fault codes .

[NormarkSuperswede]

Going to shop around for a car.Fancy taking along a code reader to see what happens before and after a test drive . Not wanting to spend more than £40

does not have to be bluetooth
thanks

[spookly]

Just buy any old ELM327 bluetooth OBD2 from eBay or Amazon. Many are available for under £10. Then install your choice of OBD2 app on your phone.

Here's one for £4.49 delivered: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Mini-OBD2-ELM327-...

[silentbrown]

NormarkSuperswede said:

Going to shop around for a car.Fancy taking along a code reader to see what happens before and after a test drive .

Would you let a random stranger plug "diagnostic" gear into your car? I certainly wouldn't.

[samsock]

silentbrown said:

Would you let a random stranger plug "diagnostic" gear into your car? I certainly wouldn't.

What about if tables are turned, you are buying .Are you not interested to see if there any recently reset pending codes?

Whats the worse that can happen?

[NormarkSuperswede]

silentbrown said:

Would you let a random stranger plug "diagnostic" gear into your car? I certainly wouldn't.

would you let them touch your car ? Or even drive it? YOu want to sell a car to a dealer. they will inspect it .If i want to buy a car I will inspect it to the best way possible .This means MOT history and reading codes after a test drive to make sure they have also not cleared any !

[GreenV8S]

silentbrown said:

Would you let a random stranger plug "diagnostic" gear into your car? I certainly wouldn't.

Nor me. Worst case scenario it's possible to do a lot of damage using the OBD2 port and I wouldn't want anyone messing with it unless I knew they were competent and they took responsibility for any damage done.

[samsock]

GreenV8S said:

Nor me. Worst case scenario it's possible to do a lot of damage using the OBD2 port and I wouldn't want anyone messing with it unless I knew they were competent and they took responsibility for any damage done.

What kind of damage is typical?

[silentbrown]

samsock said:

Whats the worse that can happen?

Obviously if it's just a shed you're buying there's much less of as issue, but as you asked...

They might accidentally fry the ECU with a cheap knock-off OBD dongle?
They clone a key and come back for the car at their leisure?
They intentionally load a 'bad' map, then offer you a pittance because the car's not running right?

If you asked me I'd politely suggest you pay for an RAC inspection if you're that fussed.