The best OBD2 scanners
The engine light's come on. Before booking the garage, plug one of these in: they read and clear fault codes and show live engine data, so you know what you're dealing with.
An OBD2 scanner tells you why the engine warning light is on. Every petrol car registered in the UK and EU since 2001, and every diesel since 2004, has the standard diagnostic socket, usually under the dashboard near the steering wheel (American cars have had it since 1996). Plug one of these in and it reads the fault code, says what it means and clears it once the fault's been put right. It won't fix anything by itself, but knowing the code helps you tell something simple from a job for the garage.
A handheld reader with its own screen plugs in and works straight away, with nothing to install or charge. A Bluetooth scanner sends everything to an app on your phone instead, and the one here reads every system, not just the engine, and can do service resets. It's worth checking before the MOT, too: a lit engine warning light is a major defect on petrol cars from mid-2003 and diesels from mid-2008.
What matters
- A handheld with its own screen, or Bluetooth and a phone app.
- Engine only, or every system with service resets.
- Live data, to watch the engine's sensors as it runs.
- Code meanings on the screen, so there's nothing to look up.
#1 of 5
Best overall
MOTOPOWER MP69033 OBD2 Scanner and Code Reader
£20–£30 Price range
Plug it in, turn the ignition on, and it shows the fault code with what it means in plain words, then clears it once the job's done. The 2.8-inch backlit screen can graph live data such as coolant temperature and engine speed, and it has a two-year warranty.
What owners say: Owners find it works straight away and is simple to use, and think it's well worth the money.
A closer look: It reads the engine and emissions side only, so an ABS or airbag light needs an all-systems scanner. The codes come up with just the ignition on; start the engine to watch the live data. It runs off the car's socket, so it can live in the glove box with no batteries to go flat.
- Reads and clears engine codes
- Code meanings on screen
- Live data with graphs
- 2.8-inch backlit screen
- Two-year warranty
Best for: Finding out why the engine light's on
- Type
- Handheld, own screen
- Reads
- Engine and emissions
- Live data
- With graphs
- Code meanings shown
- Yes
- Service resets
- No
- Subscription
- None
#2 of 5
Best for all systems
TOPDON CarPal A Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner
£30–£50 Price range
A small Bluetooth plug that sits in the socket and sends everything to an app on your phone. It checks every system, from the engine to the brakes, marks each fault as severe or minor, and handles six service jobs, from the oil-service reset to DPF regeneration.
What owners say: Owners say it's good at pinning down faults and gives clear, detailed information, and they find the app easy to use and the scanner well worth the money.
Heads up: Everything is included for the first year. After that the health check, reading and clearing codes, the battery test and the emissions check stay free, and the six service resets need a subscription.
A closer look: It reads the car's identity by itself as soon as it connects, so there's nothing to type in. The app holds up to three makes of car at a time, so adding a fourth means removing one. There's a 0-60mph performance test too.
- Checks every system
- Six service resets
- Battery test
- Live data graphs
- App for iPhone and Android
Best for: Every system, from your phone
- Type
- Bluetooth, phone app
- Reads
- All systems
- Live data
- With graphs
- Code meanings shown
- Yes
- Service resets
- 6, incl. oil and DPF
- Subscription
- For resets, after year one
#3 of 5
ANCEL AD310 OBD2 Code Reader
£20–£30 Price range
Built for one job, finding out why the engine light is on: it reads and clears engine codes with a short description of each, and shows live data and the freeze-frame snapshot taken when the fault appeared. The menus come in eight languages, from English and French to Portuguese and Russian.
What owners say: Owners find it good value, well made and easy to find their way around, and a handy first diagnostic tool.
Heads up: It's made for 12V petrol and diesel cars; ANCEL says it doesn't work with hybrids or electric cars.
A closer look: Plug it in with the car switched off: it powers up from the socket and prompts you when to turn the key to 'on'. Clear a code only after the repair, because if the fault's still there the code may not clear.
- Reads and clears engine codes
- Live data and freeze frame
- EVAP leak test
- Eight menu languages
- No batteries needed
Best for: A first code reader
- Type
- Handheld, own screen
- Reads
- Engine and emissions
- Live data
- Yes
- Code meanings shown
- Yes
- Service resets
- No
- Subscription
- None
#4 of 5
Best value
RICOKEY V309 OBD2 Code Reader
£10–£20 Price range
A low-cost way to see what's behind the engine light: it reads generic and manufacturer-specific engine codes, including pending ones, and shows what each means on its backlit screen. It also checks whether the emissions monitors are ready.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to set up and good value, handy to keep with the car, and quick to show the code behind an engine light.
A closer look: As the maker points out, it covers the engine and emissions only, so it won't read airbag, ABS, oil-service or tyre-pressure lights. It needs no batteries or charger, and the menus are in English, French, German, Spanish and Dutch.
- Reads and clears engine codes
- Pending codes too
- Code meanings on screen
- Live data and freeze frame
- 24-month warranty
Best for: Engine checks on a budget
- Type
- Handheld, own screen
- Reads
- Engine and emissions
- Live data
- Yes
- Code meanings shown
- Yes
- Service resets
- No
- Subscription
- None
#5 of 5
Best budget
JDBrands OBD2 Engine Fault Code Reader
£10–£20 Price range
A no-frills reader for the glove box: it reads and clears engine codes, turns the warning light off after a repair, and shows live sensor data, the freeze-frame snapshot and whether the emissions monitors are ready.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use and accurate, and like how quickly it reads and clears codes.
A closer look: It reads the same generic and manufacturer-specific engine codes as dearer readers, and it's plug and play, with nothing to install. The menus and code definitions come in English, German, Dutch, Spanish and French.
- Reads and clears engine codes
- Pending codes too
- Live data and freeze frame
- Emissions readiness check
- Five menu languages
Best for: Keeping one in every car
- Type
- Handheld, own screen
- Reads
- Engine and emissions
- Live data
- Yes
- Code meanings shown
- Yes
- Service resets
- No
- Subscription
- None
How they compare
| Feature | #1MOTOPOWER MP69033 | #2TOPDON CarPal A | #3ANCEL AD310 | #4RICOKEY V309 | #5JDBrands OBD2CR01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for all systems | Best value | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Price | £20–£30 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Type | Handheld, own screen | Bluetooth, phone app | Handheld, own screen | Handheld, own screen | Handheld, own screen |
| Reads | Engine and emissions | All systems | Engine and emissions | Engine and emissions | Engine and emissions |
| Live data | With graphs | With graphs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Code meanings shown | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Service resets | No | 6, incl. oil and DPF | No | No | No |
| Subscription | None | For resets, after year one | None | None | None |
| Best for | Finding out why the engine light's on | Every system, from your phone | A first code reader | Engine checks on a budget | Keeping one in every car |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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