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The best professional automotive diagnostic scan tool works on multiple vehicles. A car owner has the luxury of paying less for a scanner specific to their car. But that luxury is not afforded to someone who repairs cars for a living or works on a variety of models inside their own garage.
Top scanners for professionals can read multiple systems and perform multiple functions. The professional is there for more than turning a check engine light off.
And scanners for professionals need to be durable. Professional level scanners are big investments made in an active and often dangerous shop for electronic devices. So professional mechanics need to know that the devices they purchase will last.
So with those factors in mind, here’s an auto scan tool review for the best professional diagnostic scanners on the market today.
Best Professional Automotive Diagnostic Scanners Review
Editor's Picks | Products | Our Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | BlueDriver | 9.5/10 |
Runner Up | Autel MaxiCOM MK808 | 9.5/10 |
Best Budget Buy | Autel Maxisys MS906 | 8.5/10 |
Best Value | FOXWELL NT301 OBD2 | 8.5/10 |
Also Great | Autel MaxiLink ML619 | 7.5/10 |
1. BlueDriver
First….
The BlueDriver holds a place as one of the best (if not the best) Bluetooth scanners on the market today. With its Bluetooth capability, professional mechanics will be free to move around the garage while inspecting and making repairs to cars.
This OBD-II scanner reads and clears multiple systems in your car, including your check engine light, Airbag, ABS, and transmission. And after the codes are checked, the BlueDriver offers vehicle-specific repair reports from millions of fixes certified by professional mechanics.
The BlueDriver also offers live data with interactive graphing, gauges, or digital printouts. This Bluetooth scanner also comes equipped with Mode 6 testing and smog check to determine if you pass emissions.
BlueDriver is compatible with multiple models of GM, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, BMW, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen, and Mazda (note: not all features work with every make or model).
Compatible protocols include ISO9141-2, ISO1430-4 KWP, SAE J1850 (VPW, PWM) and ISO15765-4 CAN.
Pros
- Takes up little space
- Works quickly
- Free App and Updates
- Mode 6 testing
- Emissions testing
Cons
- Sometimes inconsistent
- Users complain about live data not being user-friendly
- Not all advanced features supported as advertised
Who’s it For?
This is the best professional automotive scan tool for professional and at-home mechanics who need the chance to move around in garage as the scanner does its work.
Check Price at Amazon2. FOXWELL NT301
Sticking with the theme of affordable, the FOXWELL NT301 brings affordability in spades.
For around $70 (the price at the time of this writing on Amazon), you can have a professional level car diagnostic scanner complete with full OBD2 diagnostic functions. Check and clear check engine lights, find bad O2 sensors, check your car’s emission status, and much more.
The NT301 comes with a full library of code definitions so you can quickly define the problems in your car. This car diagnostic scanner also reads and graphs live data. Use the Automatic VIN acquisition and decoding system so you can use Mode 6 data and read manufacturer specific codes.
Because it’s FOXWELL, you can count on a clear, easy-to-read screen. And there’s also the three-color coded lights and a speaker so you can check your car’s emission status.
The NT301 should be compatible with any car made after 1996. Protocols supported include J1850-10.4, J1859-41.6, KWP2000 (ISO 14230), ISO9141, and CAN ISO 11898.
Pros
- Lifetime software updates
- 1-year money-back guarantee
- Strong graphing capabilities
- Easy to use
- Thorough instruction manual
Cons
- Cannot read ABS, SRS, or transmission codes
- Not all features compatible with all vehicles
Who’s It For?
For expert-level mechanics and DIYers on a budget who mostly focus on the check engine light and emissions status of their cars.
Check Price at Amazon3. Launch CRP129
Continuing our run of affordable scanners, the CRP129 might be the best option for someone who needs to check more than a check engine light.
For a little over $200 (based on the most recent price on Amazon at the time of this writing), the CRP129 reads and clears codes for all four major systems in your car (Engine, transmission, ABS, and SRS). In addition to that, mechanics can use this automotive scanner to perform Oil, EPB, and SAS resets.
Know the status of your car’s emissions system with O2 sensor checking and I/M readiness testing. You can also bleed your ABS brakes with the CRP129.
The 4 inch LCD screen is easy to read and the device produces the desired information within seconds.
The CRP129 is compliant with over 40 car models made after 2006 and works with most major OBD2 protocols.
Pros
- Launch will email you to tell you whether your car or cars are compliant
- 1-year warranty
- Free lifetime updates
- Easy to use
- Simple setup (may need to read instructions)
Cons
- Software downloads could be problematic
- Not compliant with a number of vehicles
- No live sensor monitoring
Who’s It For?
For the at-home mechanic who wants to be able to check all major systems on their newer model cars.
Check Price at Amazon4. Autel MaxiCOM MK808
Another great Autel model is the MK808.
The MK808 performs all the basic services for all the basic systems, including Engine, ABS, SRS, Transmission, Brakes, Emissions, Fuel, Wipers, and Lights. You can also perform basic services on EPB, SAS, DPF, BMS, and TPMS systems as well as performing oil resets.
Along with reading and clearing codes, the MK808 features Auto VIN technology (a standard on most Autel automotive diagnostics scanner). Additional features include resetting service mileage, service intervals, and battery.
The MK808 features a 7-inch touch screen with quick processing and loads of memory. Most US cars made after 1996 and European cars after 2000 are compatible with the MK808. Compatible protocols include SAE-J1850 (VPW, PWM), SAE J2610, ISO14230-2, ISO9141-2, ISO15765, K/L-Line, Flashing Code, ISO11898 (includes High, Middle, Low-speed, Singlewire, and fault-tolerant CAN), UART Echo Byte Protocol, GM UART, Honda Diag-H Protocol, TP2.0, and TP1.6.
Pros
- 1-year free software updates
- 1-year warranty
- Comes with Built-in batteries
- Works and updates quickly and easily
- All 10 OBDII Modes
Cons
- Not all features work for all models
- Warranty requires sending products to China
Who’s It For?
For professional mechanics and car enthusiasts who need a device compatible with multiple car brands.
Check Price at Amazon5. Autel Maxisys MS906 Pro
One of the best automotive diagnostic scanners on the market is the Autel Maxisys MS906.
The MS906 performs full diagnostic functions for multiple vehicles. This scanner also reads live data, performs actuation tests, and programs key fobs and modules. And the MS906 can do both injector and ECU coding. Plus, the MS906 is bidirectional, allowing you to communicate with the vehicle as well translate what the car is saying.
AutoVin technology allows you to identify vehicles with one touch. Quickly and easily read and perform ABS, SRS, SAS, DPF, TPMS, Oil, and EPB systems.
The MS906 is compatible with over 80 car manufacturers including Chevy, GM, Dodge, Ford, Audi, Benz, BMW, and others. Protocols supported by the MS906 include SAE J1850 (VPW, PWM), J1939, and J1708V; ISO 14230-2, ISO 15765-4, ISO 9142-2, K/L line, Flashing Code, CAN ISO 11898, GM UART, Honda Diag-H Protocol, UART Echo Byte Protocol, TP 2.0 and TP 1.6.
Pros
- 1-year free software updates
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Email notifications with files and update reminders
- Great Display and Interface
- 1-year warranty
- Comes with Camera
Cons
- Battery Doesn’t Hold a Charge
- Poor Customer Service
- Warranty service requires sending products to China
Who’s It For?
Professional mechanics is comfortable with touch screen technology and with consistent access to charging ports close to the vehicles they work on.
Check Price at Amazon6. Autel Maxicom MK908 Pro
The Autel Maxisys Pro MK908P features one of the largest screens of any of the best automotive scanners. A 10.1-inch touchscreen provides a clear visual display that is easy to use. And the A7 Core processor pushes the device to work quickly.
What is more impressive?
The MK908P runs diagnostics on all your car’s systems (engine, transmission, ABS, SRS, etc) along with 25 advertised special features. Those features include oil reset service, TMPS service, IMMO service, EPB service, SAS service, DPF service, BMS service, and more. This automotive diagnostics scanner also records live data and uses AutoVIN technology to access a vehicle’s history.
One of the unique features of the MK908P is advanced ECU Coding and programming that go beyond what most scanners can do.
All data can be saved and accessed using the cloud. The MK908P works with over 80 brands of US, European and Asian cars. Compatible protocols include SAE-J1850 (VPW and PWM), J1939, J1708, ISO 9142-2, ISO 14230-2, ISO 15765-4, K/L-Line, Flashing Code, CAN ISO 11898, Honda Diag-H Protocol, UART Echo Byte Protocol, GM UART, and TP 2.0, TP 1.6.
Pros
- Bluetooth compatible
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Advanced functions
- Includes Variant Coding
- Comes with multiple cables
Cons
- Expensive
- Poor battery
- Poorly reviewed customer service
Who’s It For?
Professionals who need a device that covers a wide variety of features and don’t mind paying a large amount to access those features.
Check Price at Amazon7. LAUNCH X431 V+ PRO
Mechanics who need a professional car diagnostic tool with bidirectional capabilities will love the LAUNCH X431 V+.
The X431 V+ can request information and command-specific modules to perform specific functions, such as cycling the A/C clutch or turning the fuel pump on and off. Other bidirectional tasks include ECU coding, brake bleeding, TPMS, key programming, and more.
This bidirectional professional scan tool performs a comprehensive diagnosis of multiple systems in your car, including Engine, SRS, ABS, transmission, and communications systems. Oil resets, DPF regeneration, Injector Coding, and IMMO functions also feature prominently on the X431+.
LAUNCH promotes the X431 V+ as being compatible with 90% of all cars, including models from Asia, Europe, and the US. And the X431 V+ supports all major OBD2 protocols.
Pros
- Performs multiple bi-directional functions
- 1-year warranty
- Equipped with camera
- Strong battery
- Wide vehicle coverage
- Free software updates for 2 years
Cons
- Updates expensive after two years
- Lacks remote diagnosis
Who’s It For?
A professional mechanic who performs a ton of functions on a variety of cars and can afford to make a strong investment in their business.
Check Price at AmazonBuying Guide For Professional Automotive Diagnostic Scanners
1. Types of Diagnostic Scan Tools
Do you need a handheld, easy to use a scanner? A larger scanner with better processing speeds? Do you have your own devices (like tablets or laptops) and just need a Bluetooth scanner to move the data to that interface?
2. Easy to use
How much time do you have to spend learning how to use the advanced features available on your scanner? And how fast are the scanner’s processing speeds? Working in a garage with multiple cars, you are going to need the scanner to get the information you need quickly so you can spend less time trying to figure out the problem and more time fixing it.
3. Codes
Does your scanner work for both generic and manufacturer-specific codes? Or does it just work on the generic ones? Check to see that your scanner works with a wide variety of manufacturer-specific codes so you know it will work with the wide range of vehicles you will be working on.
4. Other Factors
Consider how often scanners update their software. Are those updates for free? If they are, how long are they free? And what will the updates cost once the free ones run out?
Also, check the status of the warranty on your scanner. And read plenty of reviews to determine if the scanner you are considering truly covers the variety of vehicles and features that it says it can.
Bonus: You can also read more about Best OBD2 Scanners Review on the market HERE