Numerous scanners for VW/Audi make you confused and not know which one is best suited for your car.
My suggestion is to ask yourself one question before you start your search:
“What do you want to use the scanner for?” (read & clear codes, smog check, service functions, car coding, etc.)
So there you have it! With my expert guidance, you’ll be able to find the best Audi diagnostic tool in no time.
If you’re in a rush and need my quick recommendations, read my comparison table below.
Table of Contents
Comparison table of Best VW Audi Diagnostic Tools
[Note: Swipe left for full table]| Product | What can it do? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
AUTOPHIX 7610 | - Full-system diagnostics - 10 service functions - 6 OBD2 functions (smog check & live data included) | Check Price | |
ANCEL VD500 | - Full-system diagnostics - 3 service functions - 3 OBD2 functions | Check Price | |
OBDeleven | - Full-system diagnostics - ~15 service functions - Car coding supported | Check Price | |
OBDLink MX+ | - Full-system diagnostics - ~10 service functions - Car coding supported | Check Price | |
– First, with the same price, you only can scan engine and transmission systems, while specific scanners can pull codes from all systems.
– Secondly, the chances of a universal scanner working on your VW/Audi are lower than specific scanners because of the shortage of specific protocols.
Table of contents:
Group 1: Best Audi diagnostic tools for basic to mid-level tasks
 ANCEL VD500 |  AUTOPHIX 7610 |
|
|---|---|---|
#1. ANCEL VD500: Best Audi diagnostic tool with 3 necessary service functions
Pros
- All system diagnostics for VAG cars
- 3 advanced service functions
- Lifetime free update
- Sturdy design
Cons
- Unclear user manual
- Not full OBD2 functions
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable scanner that can handle basic services like inspection due or EPB reset, then I’ve got just the thing for you, Ancel VD500. This little tool is specialized for Audi cars and comes from a reputable brand of scanners.
And let’s not forget about the quality of this scanner – it’s pretty good for its price tag of $70!
Regarding its service functions, I’ve got some good news – I’ve successfully tested three of the functions offered by this Ancel VD500. These functions will save you hundreds of dollars if you’re someone who regularly heads to the dealer and shells out $80 just to reset the Audi service light. And thanks to VD500, it totally can be done at home within 1-2 minutes.
On top of that, I was even able to replace the rear brake pads (Ancel VD500 can disengage the electronic parking brake). Can you believe all this was possible with a $70 scanner? I was seriously impressed!
That being said, if you’re not familiar with how to use the service functions, you might have to head over to YouTube for some help because the user manual can be confusing.
I’m also satisfied with its ability to scan trouble codes from all car systems (other universal scanners don’t). And speaking of speed, this scanner is no slouch – it only took me 6 seconds to scan all 14 systems on the car I tested. It’s even faster if you scan each system individually.
Well, I hate to rain on parade, but I couldn’t read live data or check if the car is ready for the smog check with Ancel VD500. For anyone looking for these features, you might want to consider getting the Autophix 7610 instead.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking to save some cash but still want a scanner that can handle all codes and execute some major service functions, then Ancel VD500 is the best Audi OBD2 scanner for you.
Today’s best Ancel VD500 prices:
#2. Autophix 7610: Pay an extra $70 to get additional 7 service functions
Pros
- All system diagnostics for VAG cars
- 10+ advanced service functions
- Lifetime free update
- Vivid live data
Cons
- Unclear user manual
- Not full OBD2 functions
I know what you’re thinking: “More expensive? What’s the catch?” Well, let me tell you, Autophix 7610 is worth every penny if you’re looking for extra service functions like battery registration or DPF regen.
But wait, there’s more!
In addition to what you can do with Ancel VD500, you can:
- use live data to uncover the hidden cause of trouble codes,
- prepare for smog checks thanks to I/M readiness,
- and even check your car battery’s health with its battery test function.
The more functions it offers, the more money you can save.
Moreover, with Autophix 7610, I can get to perform up to 10 functions – that’s 7 more than Ancel VD500.
Scanning for error codes may take a little longer. It took me 20 seconds to scan all 14 systems. Still, I believe this speed is fast enough.
But these two scanners share a similar downside. The cable length is only ~3.2 ft, which means you won’t be able to hold it up to your eye level. I mean, come on, guys, give us a bit more length to work with!
At the $140 price point, I still think Autophix should improve this.
Overall, Autophix 7610 is your best VW/Audi diagnostic tool if you
- want to tackle a lot of mid-level tasks,
- and don’t mind paying $70 for more functions (which means more money saved),
Trust me, your car (and your wallet) will thank you later!
Today’s best Autophix 7610 price:
Group 2: Best Audi diagnostic tools for car coding
If you are looking for an affordable scanner to help you customize your VW/Audi as you want, I have two options for you:
- OBDLink MX+ combined with Carista app
- OBDEleven (both adapter and app included)
Note that I chose to pay for the subscription ($10/month for Carista and Pro pack for OBDEleven), not the free version.
 OBDLink MX+ |  OBDeleven |
|
|---|---|---|
#1. OBDLink MX+ & Carista app: Customize your car with different subscription packs
Pros
- Super responsive live data
- Full-system diagnostics
- Car codings
- Sleep mode
Cons
- Random connection troubles
- Carista app is not free
Let me tell you about my experience using the awesome combination of OBDLink MX+ and Carista app (app purchased separately).
First, one thing that really caught my attention is that Carista offers three different packages: 1 month ($9.99), 3 months ($19.99), and 1 year ($49.99). The longer the package, the more money saved.
And the best part? I can dip your toe in the water with the 1-month package, and if it’s suitable for me, I can walk away without any hard feelings.
But, the real MVP feature of Carista is car coding. If you’re tired of annoying features on your VW/Audi, I’m sure Carista is here to help. Especially for those who dislike the seatbelt warning ding (we’ve all been there), Carista allows you to turn it off. Say goodbye to that headache-inducing beep sound!
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Not only is this annoying sound, but there are also many systems you can customize as long as you want. For example,
- Light system,
- Locking system,
- Mirror,
- Trunk,
- Wipers & washers.
One good news is that Carista still delivers on its promise of basic functions like:
- providing the correct codes and their definition to know what’s going on with your car
- and checking live data (numbers only) to diagnose the issue
- or even telling you if your car is ready for a smog check.
However, every time I navigate through the menu or scan the full system (which has 50 systems and takes about 7 minutes), I have to wait a while for it to load.
I can’t help but wonder, is it the adapter or the app causing the delay?
But let’s not dwell on that!
If you’re looking for the best Audi scan tool that can not only diagnose issues but also give you some control over your car’s annoying features, OBDLink MX+ and Carista combo is the way to go!
Today’s best OBDLink MX+ price:
#2. OBDEleven: Best OBD2 scanner for Audi customizations – but require many fees
Pros
- More car coding options
- Full-system diagnostics
- ~15 service functions
Cons
- Need credits to perform service functions and codings
OBDEleven is another great choice for those who want to customize their VW/Audi.
I’ve used both Carista and OBDEleven, and I have to say, OBDEleven has more customization options than Carista. For example, on a 2016 Audi A4, I have
- ~90 options with OBDEleven
- ~60 options with Carista.
But there’s a catch – you need to use credits to perform certain service functions and codings. It’s like a special “currency” that you have to pay for.
And, don’t worry, it’s still cheaper than going to the dealer for the same thing.
For anyone who doesn’t want to pay for credits, there’s always the option of manually changing the settings (that’s Long Coding). Just make sure you know what you’re doing with it (it’s easy to mess up your car)!
Then, I tried the one-click apps (which allow me to customize the car within one click). The first thing to do with OBDEleven is removing annoying features like Start/Stop function!
Or, it’s so easy to allow passengers to watch videos while the vehicle is moving. Plus, there are so many more options for customization – you can even disable your exhaust flap!
And given what I’ve done with OBDEleven, it’s also acceptable to pay for the credits.
Besides car codings, OBDEleven also offers more features than Carista:
- Scanning codes and give the severity of them: you will know whether it’s safe to keep driving with those codes.
- Reading live data in numbers, graphs, gauges, etc.
One noting downside is that the functions can be a bit messy, like the battery registration is in “Adaption”, not service functions.
Overall, OBDEleven is the best OBD2 scanner for VW/Audi for you if you love coding and reading the car’s live data. It’s more user-friendly than the old-fashioned VCSD.
Today’s best OBDEleven price:
Conclusion
After reading this in-depth review, I’m sure you can make your final decision after reading my “Best Audi diagnostic tool” review.
But I’d love to hear from you:
- Which one do you prefer?
- Is there another VW/Audi scanner you’d like to see on this list?
Share them with me in the comment section below.
