Tools for UK car diagnostics

Last updated · OBDCode UK editorial

Browse by job, not by brand. Each category says whether you need the tool, which kind, and when a garage visit is cheaper. A category can be listed as can buy, being rewritten, or off the shelf. We only enable a shop link after a current check.

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Commercial relationship

Commercial-link disclosure: Commercial links are labelled “Sponsored”. The relationship and verified shop operator are disclosed beside each link before you follow it. See our commercial-link policy.

Some of the shops we link to are owned by the same team as OBDCode. Those links are still commercial. They use rel="sponsored", and we may earn a commission if you buy.

How we choose which shops to show

We only show a retailer link after the shop operator, the exact product, the buying path and the compliance copy have passed a current evidence review. These checks assess the supplier and purchase path; they are not independent product testing. A 200 response is not enough. If we are not sure, we do not link.

Can buy means one shop has passed the current check. Being rewritten means a candidate exists but the live page still fails (brand, origin, delivery or checkout). Off the shelf means the shops we reviewed are suspended or withheld and we will not send you there.

We only publish a pound figure that we have verified on a live, currently listed shop. This page has none.

Choose a category

Off the shelf Diagnostic scanners Read fault codes and, where supported, live data. Coverage matters more than the number of advertised functions. No buy link. Several scanner shops remain suspended for false UK-origin claims. The remaining generic readers are a near-duplicate cluster and are not listed. A garage or parts-shop code read is usually enough for a single fault. How to choose and supplier status → Can buy Battery testing and monitoring Check 12V condition, cranking and charging without treating every no-start as a failed battery. One shop has passed the current check for an ANCEL BM300 Pro Bluetooth monitor. Printable and clamp testers stay off the shelf. Confirm price and stock on the destination page. How to choose and supplier status → Can buy Electrical diagnostic tools Choose a meter, a powered circuit probe or a handheld oscilloscope by the signal — and by the risk of energising the circuit. Two shops have passed the current check: an Autel PowerScan PS100 circuit tester, and a BSIDE OT3 10 MHz handheld oscilloscope. A powered probe is a technician tool, not a first buy for reading a code. How to choose and supplier status → Being rewritten EVAP smoke testers A 12V smoke machine can show a leak as a wisp of vapour. It is garage or advanced-DIY kit, not a default buy on an evaporative-emission code. Do not buy this as the default next step on a P0442 or P0455-class code. A garage smoke test is the usual job. We will list a shop only after the manufacturer name is on the page and delivery copy matches the policy. How to choose and supplier status →

Supplier links are reviewed against the shopping-path and compliance checks before they are enabled. Last reviewed 14 August 2026.