Buy your own can bus scanner?

[aSimpleLife]

I see them on ebay, but none seem to be for a 2010 Transporter.
Can you buy your own and is it worth it?
If so, where should I source it?

[aSimpleLife]

I think this is what I was looking for but far too expensive for a nice to have item.

https://www.ilexa.co.uk/shop/VCDS-VAG-COM

Any of the cheaper ebay ones I looked at - even the vw ones - all stated they are not for transporters

[Greg Roles]

Afraid I've not yet found a cheapie that works like promised, or even at all half the time....

[Umai Naa!!]

Have a look at the Autel units.

[Transporter]

Afraid I've not yet found a cheapie that works like promised, or even at all half the time....

Oh many do work, but some people expect that the scanner is a mechanic in the bottle.

[Umai Naa!!]

Agreed.

They don't tell you what the problem is, they show you where to start looking.

[Greg Roles]

Really? I've not found any "cheapies" that can talk much if any VAG protocol, they are all just the standard ISO OBD protocol, so basic OBD stuff.

[aSimpleLife]

This seems to be the cheapest Autel at $200 from a reliable ebay seller;
Autel Maxiservice VAG505 OBD2 Code Scan Tool FOR VW Audi Seat Skoda Code Scanner | eBay

It seems to cover up to the 2010 Transporter?

http://104.171.4.62:8800/Download/Veh/MaxiSYS/VW_CV/en_about.pdf

If it was $100 I'd get one - even if it's questionable that I'll get any real value from having one.
At $200 it seems like a luxury item.

[aSimpleLife]

Actually I might have missed a cheap one from China that could work at $18.55
At that price I'll have a crack
Autel Maxiscan MS300 Obdii OBD2 Auto Diagnostic Code Reader Scan Tool Dwszau | eBay

[Martin]

The cheapest thing is to get a ODBII Wifi unit so you can read generic fault codes
If that's all you want to use it for and all you're prepared to spend for - then all good

The problem comes when if you want manufacturer specific codes, the ability to clear codes and change settings, not to mention yearly updates
This costs $300 to $600 and is well worth it if you need it

Autel have cleverly created numerous levels of functionality and pricing - the good, better and best model
The very low end units are not much use
Can't clear codes, can't deal with modules other than the ECU (like ABS and body controller - pain in the arse)
So you can read the car fault code, have a go at fixing it, but you still have pay a dealer $100~$150 to clear the fault
And due to duty of care and chain of responsibility, they won't just clear the fault!
They will inspect and test to ensure you really did fix it - they will charge you for this

I do my own maintenance and repairs (as much as possible) - not to mention my 2 track cars
My Skoda Octavia - I bought VCDS for it
I bought a fully functional $300 Autel unit for my wife's Mazda3 and my Nissan 350Z
My friends often get me to scan/reset their cars
I probably only use the Autel once every 2 or 3 months, but at those times I really do need it
It's a little bit expensive, but when I look at some of my other specialist tools I have no problem with the value for money I get out of this device
You only have to use it 2 or 3 times to break even!

[aSimpleLife]

Thanks for taking the time to explain that. For me I think the ODBII will be enough for now. I just want to get some idea of what a problem might be before I get the mechanic involved. My current/previous mechanic treated me as a mushroom and just wouldn't tell me what the code number was. At this stage it's unlikely I'll attempt any repairs myself (my history with fixing cars is not an illustrious one . I'm hoping for happier times with my soon to be new VW specialist mechanic anyway.

[aSimpleLife]

Have a look at the Autel units.

And thankyou for this suggestion too.

[Martin]

My current/previous mechanic treated me as a mushroom and just wouldn't tell me what the code number was.

That's annoying for sure

I would have recommended ODBLink - rock solid device with fast communications (you can actually do live monitoring/tuning)
Trouble is they are getting pricey now - more expensive than low end Autel

Perhaps this one is worth a try
Super Mini ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Diagnostic Tool FOR BMW VW Audi | eBay

[aSimpleLife]

OK I will give that a try thankyou.

[Sunny43.5]

The same OBD11Scanner device came with our Chinese replacement DVD GPS head unit , you plug it in and go to the app on the head unit {Android 5.1} and you can see the readouts etc without a laptop or other mobile device . Scroll down to see the app in the photos 8"HD CAR Stereo FOR Passat CC Golf Touran Jetta Seat DAB OBD GPS Wifi 3G 3015AM | eBay