Best OBD Scanner: 10 Code Readers Tested and Recommended by Experts

The engine management light just came on, and a garage will charge you to read the fault code. A basic OBD scanner reads it yourself, and the cheapest cost about £12.

The best OBD scanner for most home mechanics is the Motopower OBD2 (MP69033). It costs about £20 and won our Best Buy award. It reads and clears engine codes, graphs live data and works with no app.

The best budget wireless scanner is the iCAR Pro Scan. It costs about £12 and earned our Haynes Recommended award. It sends live data to your phone while you drive.

In this article we are listing the 10 OBD scanners we find best: from budget to best for pro home mechanics; from about £12 to £225. Haynes Technical Editor Martynn Randall has tested several of them, and we are about to show you what he found.

OBD Scanner Comparison Table - Top 10

Top 10 OBD Scanners

Laser Fault Code Reader (7728)

Best For: Simple, rugged fault clearing.

Price: ~£24.00

A no-frills, hardwired handheld built for quick glovebox emergencies. It reads and clears generic engine trouble codes (DTCs), extinguishes the check engine light (MIL), and retrieves vehicle VIN data on a backlit LCD screen.

Pros:

• Simple, plug-and-play operation straight out of the box.
• Rugged, workshop-grade build quality.

Cons:

• Small screen requires repeated button presses to navigate.
• Lacks live sensor data, freeze-frame captures, and advanced system access.

The Haynes Verdict: "Simple, rugged, but lacks some of the features included in other comparably priced readers." — Martynn Randall, Haynes Technical Editor

Streetwize Multilingual Large Screen OBDII Code Reader (SWOBD4)

Best For: Simple freeze-frame diagnostic checks.

Price: ~£33.00

A standalone corded reader powered directly by the vehicle's OBD port. It reads generic and manufacturer-specific engine DTCs, verifies I/M emissions readiness, and captures freeze-frame snapshots without external batteries.

Pros:

• Draws power entirely from the vehicle port with an intuitive menu layout.
• Includes multilingual menu options and a printed user manual.

Cons:

• Display area is relatively compact (2.4 cm x 4.8 cm) despite the "large screen" marketing.
• Lacks live sensor streaming and is strictly incompatible with ABS, airbags, and EV/hybrid high-voltage systems.

The Haynes Verdict: "It seems to be the same as the Clarke tester in a slightly different housing. Basic, but effective." — Martynn Randall, Haynes Technical Editor

Motopower OBD2 Scanner (MP69033)

Best For: Unbeatable value and user-friendly wired diagnostics (Haynes Best Buy).

Price: ~£20.00

A standout budget handheld that punches well above its price tag. It reads and clears engine codes using an onboard DTC library, captures freeze-frame data, checks I/M readiness, and displays real-time sensor parameters (including coolant temperature and vehicle speed) in live curves.

Pros:

• Exceptional value with rapid fault code retrieval.
• Clear LCD screen with contrast control and a dedicated 'Back' button for quick navigation.
• Flexible 2.5-foot cable easily reaches awkward footwell ports.

Cons:

• Strictly limited to engine diagnostics (no ABS, airbag, or service reset support).

The Haynes Verdict: "My favourite. Easy to use, attractive to look at and a bargain - I may actually buy one!" — Martynn Randall, Haynes Technical Editor

iCAR Pro Scan (Bluetooth 4.0 ELM327)

Best For: Ultra-budget smartphone diagnostics (Haynes Recommended).

Price: ~£12.00

An ultra-compact Bluetooth 4.0 dongle that pairs with third-party smartphone apps (Car Scanner, Torque, OBD Fusion). It reads generic and manufacturer engine codes, streams live sensor telemetry, and logs trip data via your phone's GPS while you drive.

Pros:

• Lowest purchase price on test.
• Low profile allows it to remain plugged into the OBD port while driving.
• Hardware supports third-party EV/hybrid apps (such as LeafSpy and Dr. Prius).

Cons:

• Requires downloading, configuring, and potentially paying for third-party apps.
• Compact casing can be difficult to pull from deeply recessed OBD sockets.

The Haynes Verdict: "At just under £15, including postage, the iCAR Pro Scan is excellent value for money. Just bear in mind that you need to use a good app to get the best out of it." — Martynn Randall, Haynes Technical Editor

Sealey EOBD Code Reader (VS8812)

Best For: Dedicated charging and starter system testing with workshop-grade durability.

Price: ~£47.00 – £65.00 (RRP £71.94 inc. VAT)

A rugged, rubber-armoured handheld designed for tough workshop environments. In addition to reading generic/manufacturer engine codes and streaming live PCM and O2 sensor data, it features dedicated testing modes for your 12V vehicle battery, starter cranking, and alternator charging systems.

Pros:

• Heavy-duty casing withstands workshop drops and rough handling.
• Dedicated starter and alternator charging tests are rare on standalone code readers.
• One-click I/M readiness hotkey with colour-coded status LEDs for rapid emissions pre-checks.

Cons:

• Clunky interface where vertical buttons double as lateral navigation keys.
• Does not support live sensor data graphing or PC updates.
• Relatively expensive for a tool limited to engine and transmission modules.

The Haynes Verdict: "Rugged, good quality hardware, with some useful functions: charging/starter check dedicated tests." — Martynn Randall, Haynes Technical Editor

Ancel BD310

Best For: Dual-mode flexibility (standalone corded screen plus wireless smartphone app).

Price: ~£50.00 – £60.00

A unique 2-in-1 hybrid scanner that functions as a standalone corded reader to clear check engine codes in seconds, or switches via a side button to Bluetooth mode. When paired with its mobile app, it streams live digital gauges, monitors trip data, and mounts to an air vent as an auxiliary dashboard display.

Pros:

• Works independently out of the box or wirelessly with full smartphone graphing.
• Magnetic vent mount and 4-foot ribbon cable turn your device into an auxiliary dashboard gauge.
• In-app automatic DTC lookup translates fault codes instantly.

Cons:

• Powertrain only; cannot read ABS/SRS modules or perform service resets.
• Physical screen displays code numbers only (text definitions require the app).
• Windshield heads-up display (HUD) mode washes out in bright daylight.

Guide Verdict: The premier hybrid choice under £60, combining the instant speed of a corded reader with the rich visual telemetry of a modern smartphone app.

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro

Best For: Seamless smartphone diagnostics with mechanic-verified repair reports.

Price: ~£85.00 – £105.00

A refined wireless dongle paired with an ad-free mobile app that requires zero recurring subscriptions. Beyond pulling generic engine codes, it reads enhanced systems (ABS, SRS, Transmission, and BCM on supported marques) and cross-references faults against a database of millions of verified technician fixes to suggest specific replacement parts.

Pros:

• Delivers actionable repair reports that recommend specific replacement components.
• Accesses ABS, airbag, and transmission modules without subscription fees.
• Polished, stable iOS and Android application with automated Bluetooth pairing.

Cons:

• Does not support bi-directional active component testing or mechanical service resets.
• Live sensor data refresh rate is relatively slow (~4–5 second intervals).
• Enhanced system coverage is noticeably narrower on European diesel models than North American vehicles.

Guide Verdict: The most accessible smart dongle for everyday motorists, bridging the gap between raw trouble codes and practical, mechanic-backed repair solutions.

LAUNCH OBD2 Scanner CR529

Best For: Standalone check engine diagnosis with built-in code tips and pre-MOT emissions indicators.

Price: £49.00

A dedicated hardwired scanner equipped with a 2.8-inch colour screen and a physical HELP button that explains fault causes directly on-screen. It supports all 10 OBD2 modes, live sensor waveform graphing, and traffic-light status LEDs for rapid MOT emissions pre-checks without a smartphone.

Pros:

• Clear 2.8-inch colour display with real-time multi-sensor waveform graphing.
• One-click I/M readiness hotkey with red-yellow-green LEDs for instant emissions drive-cycle verification.
• Built-in DTC library with troubleshooting tips requires no internet access.

Cons:

• Strictly emissions and powertrain-focused; cannot reset ABS, airbags, or service lights.
• Wired form factor is bulkier in a glovebox than wireless dongles.

Guide Verdict: The benchmark corded reader under £50 for motorists who want clear fault definitions, live sensor graphing, and pre-MOT verification on a standalone colour display.

XTOOL Anyscan A30M (V2.0)

Best For: DIY bi-directional active testing and all-system resets with zero subscriptions.

Price: ~£100.00 – £115.00

A wireless Bluetooth dongle that delivers professional workshop capabilities to your phone. It scans every onboard ECU (Engine, ABS, Airbags, BCM, Transmission), performs bi-directional active tests to actuate components on command, and includes 26+ service reset routines with lifetime free software updates.

Pros:

• True bi-directional actuation (cooling fans, fuel pumps, ABS valves) at a fraction of tablet prices.
• Full-system module scanning with 26+ maintenance routines (ABS bleed, EPB caliper release, BMS registration).
• Zero subscription fees for life; hardware supports CAN-FD and FCA AutoAuth gateways.

Cons:

• Downloading vehicle manufacturer packages consumes several gigabytes of phone storage.
• Requires a modern smartphone or tablet; has no standalone screen.
• The "Anyscan" app is utilitarian and developer-focused rather than beginner-friendly.

Guide Verdict: The highest capability-per-pound tool on the market for experienced DIYers who service their own brakes, register batteries, and actuate components without paying £400+ for a tablet.

TOPDON ArtiDiag 600S (AD600S)

Best For: A standalone, phone-free workshop tablet for the 4 core vehicle systems.

Price: ~£209.00 – £225.00 (RRP £209.00)

A dedicated 5-inch Android 11 touchscreen tablet built specifically for workshop use. It scans the four core vehicle computers—Engine, Transmission, ABS, and Airbags (SRS)—while integrating nine essential service functions (including EPB brake release, ABS bleeding, and DPF regeneration) with one-touch Wi-Fi updates and no annual renewal fees.

Pros:

• Self-contained workshop tablet; no smartphone pairing, app setup, or phone battery drain.
• Deep 4-system diagnostic coverage paired with 9 critical DIY maintenance resets.
• Free lifetime software updates via Wi-Fi; modern CAN-FD protocol support.

Cons:

• Substantial financial investment compared to smartphone dongles.
• Does not support bi-directional active component testing (cannot manually force-trigger relays or fans).
• Diagnostic scope is restricted to 4 core systems (does not scan body control modules or climate control).

Guide Verdict: A rugged, drop-resistant diagnostic workstation that handles ABS bleeding, airbag warning lights, and electronic rear brake jobs without tying up your phone or locking you into annual software subscriptions.

What makes a good OBD scanner?

A good OBD scanner reads and clears engine fault codes, and shows the data behind them. The scanner plugs into the 16-pin OBD port, which also powers it. UK petrol cars have had this port since 1 January 2001, and diesels since 2004.

Basic readers only cover the engine and emissions system. They cannot diagnose ABS or airbag lights, and they cannot reset service lights. Only all-system scanners can.

• Live data: sensor readings, such as coolant temperature and speed, shown as they happen.
• Freeze frame: a snapshot of sensor data from the moment the car stored the fault.
• Wired or Bluetooth: a wired handheld works with no phone or app. A Bluetooth dongle sends data to an app, and finding a good app can take trial and error.
• Price: engine-only readers in this guide cost about £12 to £65. Scanners that read other systems start at about £85.
• Hybrids and EVs: a basic reader reads the engine codes on a hybrid, but not the high-voltage battery or motor. The Streetwize SWOBD4 states it is not compatible with hybrid or electric vehicles.

Where is the OBD port? Look on the driver's side, under the steering column. On some cars it sits low on the centre console, or in the passenger footwell.

OBD Scanner FAQs

Is it worth buying an OBD scanner?

Yes. A basic scanner costs about £12 to £25 and reads engine fault codes at home. A garage charges to read the same code before any repair starts. A scanner also shows the code before you decide whether to book a repair.

How do I use an OBD scanner?

1. Switch the ignition off. Plug the scanner into the OBD port, usually under the steering column on the driver's side.
2. Switch the ignition on, with the engine off. Do not start the engine yet.
3. Read the codes. Follow the scanner's menu. Start the engine only if the scanner asks for it.

Clearing codes also resets the car's self-checks. Drive normally for a few days before an MOT, so the car can finish them.

Can I leave an OBD scanner plugged in?

A Bluetooth dongle can stay plugged in while you drive. Keep your phone in a secure holder and do not use it on the move. If the car sits parked for weeks, unplug it. The OBD port stays powered, so a dongle can slowly drain the battery.

Can an OBD scanner damage my car's ECU?

No. A quality scanner used correctly only reads data from the car. Very cheap dongles vary in build quality, so buy from a seller you trust.

Do hybrids and electric cars use OBD?

Hybrids do. A basic scanner reads the engine codes on a hybrid. It cannot read the high-voltage battery or motor.

Pure electric cars usually have the port, but a basic scan returns almost nothing. Reading an EV's battery needs a brand-specific or all-system tool. The Streetwize SWOBD4 states it is not compatible with hybrid or electric vehicles.

What do mechanics use to diagnose cars?

Workshops use multi-brand diagnostic tablets that can test individual components. For hard faults, they also use an oscilloscope to check the electrical signals behind a code. A basic reader tells you the fault code, and these tools help find the cause.

How Haynes tested

Haynes Technical Editor Martynn Randall tested each scanner in the car. He plugged each one into a Vauxhall Corsa and checked what it does. That covered screen clarity, menu and button layout, build quality and the features it offers, such as live data, freeze frame and VIN check.

Value decides the awards. A scanner earns Best Buy or Haynes Recommended when its features justify its price. We tested the Bluetooth iCAR Pro Scan with an iPhone and the Car Scanner app.

Fix the Fault: Scanner Plus Haynes Manual

A scanner tells you what the car is reporting. A Haynes manual helps you fix it. A code such as P0300 (random misfire) points to a system, not a failed part. A garage charges to find the cause before any repair starts.

A Haynes manual gives you clear, step-by-step guidance written for your exact make, model and year. You can work through the fix with confidence and skip the guesswork.

Check the Haynes manual covers your make, model and year