Autel MaxiScan MS300 Universal OBD2 Scanner, Turn Off Check Engine Light, Read/Erase OBDII Fault Codes, I/M Readiness, Read VIN Info

Having had so many problems getting an OBD2-USB cable talking between my laptop and car, I opted to go for this item and pretty glad I did Plugged it into the OBD2 socket (under the ashtray in the centre) on my 2003 Vauxhall Signum 2.2 Auto (pretty much a Vectra). The scanner lit up straight away and found the correct protocol before identifying one fault P0302 - a quick read of the included PDF file and hard copy of the user manual booklet identified a misfire on cylinder 2 (which seems pretty consistent with a problem I've been having (now will get my hands dirty and investigate more) The unit lets you reset the code, so I'll see if it comes up again. It also correctly read and identified the VIN and advises that the engine warning light was 'off' and that various scanning functions are running. Next test was on my 2002 MG ZT 160 - OBD2 socket is just to the right of the steering column, about knee-height. Again, plugged in, found the correct protocol and gave a 'no faults' response Final test was on my Wife's 1999 Vauxhall Tigra 1.6. The OBD socket is in the fuse panel to the right of the steering column (about knee-level again) This time, plugged in, but couldn't find the correct protocol, so couldn't read the codes. I'm guessing that because this is an older vehicle, the protocol isn't supported All in all, I'd say this was a pretty good item - it does the job and supplies the info you need in a pretty simple way. I guess you could ask for bells and whistles (eg an auto lookup of the fault code on the unit itself) but you get what you pay for. I wanted to pay as little as possible to identify any fault codes and that's exactly what I got - its not exactly a hardship to go and look it up in the PDF or booklet or key in the fault code to the little app thats included on a mini-CD. Buy it...if your car is after 2002, you probably won't be disappointed

Thing about cars these days is all these dash lights coming on for this and that, some spurious, some not. How to tell? Bought this for a late model BMW E38. Works fine. Gives all the standard codes you might expect, but doesn't appear to give all the car accessory codes you can get on the BMW socket. Wont give you 'live data' e.g. readings for throttle when running. But lets face it, it's the pricey engine and transmission bits you want to test? Not being BMW specific you have to read into it, what the code might mean - and for me 'air mass sensor'. Knowing this let me reset it a few times, and having a few suspicions, watch for when the code came back. As suspected it was in very cold weather, probably mass sensor degrading - give it a clean, and don't spend £200 on a replacement. Money saved! Works also on new model Corsa D. Will reset service lights, but not airbag lights - but at this price you can hardly complain.

I bought this product to diagnose an engine problem with my car. While it won't do as much as some more expensive products (such as read out live data) it will read and display a list of faults stored in the ECU, erase them and a few other things on certain models. It comes with a handbook giving an explanation of what makes up a fault code, and a list of what each code actualy means. Anyone who works on their own car should own one as it makes maintenance and fault-finding so much easier.

Excellent scanner does exactly what it promises to do on the packaging reads and also removes Dtc's (diagnostic trouble codes) this scanner is powered by the vehicle battery when you plug it into the diagnostics port so no need to worry about running out of power, sadly the diagnostics in my Rover 200 are outdated and it just reads an error linking message, but nevermind it will be handy for any future cars that i get which are obd2 compliant you get an instruction book with different error codes and the meaning of them and also a cd that does the same, buy one of these if you just want a good simple easy to use scanner and don't get ripped off by garages and main dealers they may make it sound complicated but there's nothing to it plug in to diagnostics port, turn ignition on, scan and then review any error codes that pop up excellent tool so pleased about the price, no more pricey diagnostics charges for me because i can now do the same as the mechanic does!.

***update** It seems there are certain error codes this can't read. Just returns N/A. Specifically could not read the code associated with the fuel additive counter. ****** This worked perfectly with my 2005 Ford Focus TDCI 1.6 The instructions are very well written, but it's very easy to use anyway. It diagnosed my engine warning light. I simply looked up the code online rather than use the bundled software, which was much faster and easier than installing software. (if your interested, it was a P2002 code, the particulate trap on the exhaust was getting blocked with soot. Bought a bottle of Granville 1472 10K cleaner which you add to the tank, gave it 2 lots of 10 min revving at 3500 to burn the soot off, and no more warning light.) Note that I have also tried this on a 2002 ford fiesta TDCI and, not surprisingly, it does not work. 2004 diesels onwards only!

I didn't believe it. For this sort of money I could buy three in place of one visit to Halfords for a diagnostic. I drive an '09 Mazda, beautiful car once you've mastered the diesel particulate filters peculiarities! But a niggling recurring fault (which the warranty people won't fix because it isn't broken) takes the shine of driving the thing (vac pump is a bit noisy and sometimes doesn't operate the turbo to full effect). After Halfords diagnosed the problem I am now able to wait for the lights to appear as they do from time to time, plug in, check the code is the same one, and switch off the warning light, enabling me to wait total mechanical failure so the warranty people can do what I pay them for, and also leaves the car primed in case something more serious happens. I think this would be ideal for people whose car is outside of warranty, it gives you a head start in finding the problem and checking whether you can ignore it or not! Kit is pretty simple to use, book is stuffed with bog standard codes and I haven't even put the disc that comes with it in the machine yet to see what's on it. I've not tried it on any other cars yet but will soon I'm sure. If you dabble in car repair it's indispensable.

This is a brilliant little tool, I used it to clear a warning light on the dash in order to get more money for a part exchange. Cost me £20 to earn an extra £700 on the car. Really easy to use, you just plug it in to the OBD port, scan for faults, and then erase them before restarting the car for the light to disappear. Much more simple than those digital ones, works just as well. Would definitely recommend and it I’ll be keeping it in the boot of my new car should anything go wrong I can scan the fault and see what it is before taking it to the garage.

I had a SAAB 93 which broke down without warning one day. The AA got me home but no fault was recorded on the ECU so I had no idea what was wrong. The AA technician advised me it would happen again and may record a fault when it did. So I bought this as it was cheap and reviews seemed good. Sure enough the car died again a short time after and it this time the ECU light came on, thus confirming it had recorded a fault. So using the instructions that came with the OBD2 I set to work. It took about 30 seconds to work out how to use it and a further minute to interrogate the ECU. The resulting code was easy to translate into a fault, using the handbook that came with the unit. So having established it was the EGR valve I asked my local garage to change it. They asked me how I'd diagnosed the fault and I told them I'd used the OBD2. The advised me the standard charge for interrogating the ECU is £42.Obviously they didn't charge me as I'd told them the fault. Having seen how simple this is I can't believe they charge that much but then I guess most folk think it's a really complicated and involved process. It isn't. Anyway, there you have it: This unit saved me more money than it cost, the very first time I used it! I've since lent it to 3 people, all of whom have gone and bought one! It's a shame it can't be used to reset other codes and dashboard advisory lights, like airbags and servicing etc, but it is a great bit of kit... your local garage won't want you to have one!! I have a different car now and am hoping not to need it for a long, long time though!! In summary: Ease of use: 5 stars. Value for Money: 5 stars. Functionality: 4 stars. Highly recommended.