A capable automobile scanner will make life easier not only for professional mechanics but also for enthusiastic DIYers. It can help you detect and fix persistent problems without spending additional money on third-party checks.
That said, automobile scanners aren’t all equal. In today’s market, the best scanners offer OBD2 support, advanced service functions, customizable programming, and comprehensive vehicle support.
In this review, we’ll analyze and compare three Autel scanners: The MS906S, the MS906CV, and the MS908CV. By the end, you’ll have an idea of which is the best scanner for professionals.
Table of Contents
Autel MS908CV vs. MS906CV vs. MS906S: The Complete Comparison Chart
 Autel MS908CV |  Autel MS906CV |  Autel MS906S |
|
| Customer Rating |  |  |  |
| Price |  | | |
| OBD2 Functions | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10* |
| System Diagnostics | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Advanced Service Functions | 25 | 25 | 31+ |
| Bi-directional Controls | ✔ | -- | ✔ |
| Coding/Programming | Advanced ECU Programming and Coding | Simple programming | Advanced ECU Programming and Coding |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB | 64GB |
| Battery Capacity | 11,000mAh | 5,000mAH | 10,000mAh |
| Specialties | Has 23 adaption service functions for personal vehicles. | A heavy-duty scanner available worldwide. | Has all advanced service functions. |
| Supported Protocols | SAE J1939. SAE J1708. Manufacturer customized J1939. Manufacturer customized J1708. KWP. VPW. UDS-CAN. CDL. | ISO 9142-2. ISO 14230-2. ISO 15765-4.K-Line. L-Line. Flashing Code. SAE-J1850 VPW. SAE-J1850 PWM. CAN ISO 11898. Highspeed, Middlespeed, Low-speed and Singlewire CAN. GM UART. UART Echo Byte Protocol. Honda Diag-H Protocol. TP 2.0. TP 1.6. SAE J. | SAE J1939. SAE J1708. KWP. VPW. UDS-CAN. CDL. |
| Vehicle Coverage | Supports virtually all commercial vehicles and machines from North America, Europe, and Asia. A few examples include Toyota, Freightliner, Volvo, Dodge, Kenworth, Hyundai USA, Isuzu, Nissan, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Peugeot, and DAF, among many others. | It has a solid commercial vehicle coverage for light, medium, and heavy-duty units across Class 1 to Class 9. | With a vehicle coverage of 99%, it supports over 10000+ American, Asian, and European vehicle models. |
*Notes: Excellent: 9-10; Good: 7-8; Fair: 5-6; Poor: 3-4; Very poor: 1-2
Autel MS908CV vs. MS906CV vs. MS906S: The Similarities
OBD2 Functions
As expected of professional scanners, they all support On-board Diagnosis. However, unlike the others, the Autel MS906S additionally supports OBD1 Diagnostics.
For their respective vehicle ranges with OBD2 engines, they offer full OBD2 functions across all 10 test models.
System Diagnosis
In today’s market, automobile scanners that can run OE-level system diagnostics are the norm. Thankfully, the MS906S, MS906CV, and MS908CV support full system diagnostics.
Such a feature will enable you to perform system checks and thoroughly go through all DTCS. On top of that, you’ll also get access to other forms of data from health status reports and waveform data streams.
Hardware Expansion Compatibility
Hardware expansion compatibility is an underrated feature. You need an automobile scanner that can cooperate with other tools for in-depth diagnosis. Fortunately, all these scanners have hardware expansion compatibility.
The Autel MS906S, MS906CV, and MS908CV scanners support almost all extension modules like oscilloscopes, endoscopes, and multimeters. Specifically, we have the MV400, MV108, and MV105.
Autel MS908CV vs. MS906CV vs. MS906S: The Differences
Advanced Service Functions
The Autel MS906S Auto Scanner is an improvement upon several other pre-existing scanners, including the MS906BT, MS908, and MK908. Besides being faster, it also comes with all the advanced functions you’d expect from a professional scanner. On top of that, since it’s the latest in its range, it will receive additional service functions via future software updates.
Next, we have the Autel MS906CV Heavy Duty Auto Scanner. It comes with a limited number of advanced service functions (25). Therefore, it lacks crucial ones like Parameter Setting, Timing Calibration, Trans Adaptation, and Automatic Transmission Clutch Calibration.
Finally, we have the MS908CV Heavy-Duty Diagnostics Scanner. It offers 25 advanced services and an additional 23 adaption functions that make it better than the MS906CV.
Advanced service functions for passenger vehicles include:
- Gear Box Calibration.
- Injector Coding.
- Throttle Matching.
- DPF Regeneration.
- ABS Bleeding, BMS.
- Oil Reset.
- Brake Reset.
- SAS Calibration.
- TPMS, among others.
Advanced service functions for commercial vehicles include:
- Fuel Pressure.
- Adaptation Reset.
- DOC/DPF Replacement Reset.
- Injector CEOM Calibration.
- Boost Calibration.
- Timing, Calibration.
- O2 Sensor Calibration.
- Injection Quality Adjustment.
- DSI System De-Aeration.
- After-treatment Maintenance.
- Boost Calibration.
- After-treatment SCR Catalyst Cold Soak Override, among many others.
NOTE: For Autel Diagnostics Scanners, not all special functions are universally compatible. Therefore, before purchasing, we advise you to first send your vehicle’s VIN directly to their response team for verification (auteldirect@outlook.com).
Coding and Programming
All three scanners are capable of auto diagnostics coding and programming. However, there are degrees to which each scanner can effectively code and program.
The Autel MS906S is capable of local-smith ECU coding. It can perform advanced operations like:
- Adaptive data reprogramming.
- Reinforcement of performance issues related to driving, fuel efficiency, and power loss, among many others.
On top of that, it can also flash to unlock or disable hidden features like US-style daytime running lights, foldable mirrors and custom interior lights.
We then have the Autel MS906CV. Unlike the MS906S, it can only support basic programming operations. Therefore, it lacks ECU and other advanced programming functions.
Finally, we have the MS908CV. Like the MS906S, it can handle advanced ECU programming operations.
We recommend the MS906S as it is the more advanced scanner in this category and also at the cheapest price.
Bi-directional Control
The MS906S and MS908CV Auto Scanners both allow for Active Test Bi-directional Control. It’s a crucial feature allowing professionals to operate, test, and switch between two-state systems. It generally saves a lot of time and effort.
Unfortunately, the Autel MS906CV lacks this feature.
Autel MS906S
Autel MS908CV
Protocol Support
Because of their differences in specialization and manufacture date, each scanner supports its own range of protocols.
Refer to the chart for specifics.
Vehicle Coverage
With comprehensive coverage of 10000+ vehicle models for the US, Europe, and Asia, the Autel MS906S covers almost 99% of all automobiles. Some of the most popular include Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Renault, Peugeot, etc.
Next, we have the Autel MS906CV Heavy-Duty Scanner. As its name suggests, it specializes in light, medium, and heavy-duty automobiles from classes 1 to 9.
Finally, we have the Autel MS908CV Heavy Duty Scanner. It supports almost all commercial light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles worldwide. On top of that, it also covers other expert machinery like construction and agricultural vehicles.
Pros and Cons
Autel MS906S
Pros
- Supports full OE-level system diagnostics.
- Offers full OBD1 and OBD2 functions.
- Has comprehensive vehicle coverage of over 10,000 models from the US, Europe, and Asia.
- Offers all available advanced service functions (31 plus).
- Supports bi-directional control.
- Supports local-smith ECU coding and programming.
Cons
- It’s the best out the three scanners. There is nothing to hate about the Autel MS906S.
Autel MS906S
Autel MS906CV
Pros
- Supports full OE-level system diagnostics.
- Offers full OBD-II functions.
- Covers most commercial class 1 to class 9 light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles manufactured from 1996 to 2020.
- Has 25 special advanced service functions.
- Supports basic programming.
Cons
- Lacks some advanced special functions.
- Doesn’t support ECU coding.
- Lacks Active Test Bi-directional controls.
Autel MS906CV
Autel MS908CV
Pros
- Offers all OE-level system diagnoses.
- Capable of all OBD-II functions.
- Has the most comprehensive commercial vehicle coverage that keeps expanding with software updates.
- Has 25 advanced and 23 adaptation service functions.
- Allows for bi-directional control.
- Supports ECU programming and coding.
Cons
- Lacks some advanced service functions.
Autel MS908CV
Read more: Autel MaxiSYS MS908CV heavy-duty truck scan tool review
Recommendation
The Autel MS906S Auto Diagnostics Scanner is the best for professionals. Not only does it offer comprehensive vehicle coverage for both personal and commercial vehicles, but it also comes with all coding and advanced service functions.
The MS908CV is the second-best option if you specialize in commercial vehicles. Its automobile library is quite impressive. On top of that, it offers an impressive number of advanced service functions.
Unfortunately, the MS906CV is outdated. Not only does it lack ECU coding and programming, but its automobile library is also quite limited.
Read more: Autel MS908S Pro vs. MS908CV vs. MaxiSys Elite: Which Is the Best for Professionals?
