Are DIY Vehicle Diagnostics Tools Worth The Cost? 5 Reasons To Save Your Money

Vehicle diagnostics tools are widely available online, but are they worth the price or a waste of money?

Read on to learn why vehicle diagnostics scans are typically best left to the pros, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to schedule a free consultation now.

1.   Vehicle Diagnostics Tools Come At A Cost

Vehicle diagnostics tools range in price from about $25 to $400 or more. As is often the case, you get what you pay for—cheaper plug-and-scan options will simply read codes, while pricier products come with on-board monitor tests, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) lookup capabilities, free WiFi update tools, and touchscreens to help you navigate all of the different features.

But as you’ll learn below, even the best vehicle diagnostic tools won’t be enough. What’s more, in many cases, the cost of a OBD vehicle diagnostic tool will exceed that of a professional vehicle diagnostic, inspection, and road test, along with the accompanying service. Unless you plan to open a shop of your own, or you have the expertise to interpret DTC codes and apply the fix, it’s usually more economical to go pro.

2.   Finding The Right Vehicle Diagnostic Tool Can Be Tricky

Most vehicles will either be OBD-II or J1939 compliant. The latter is typically seen with diesel engines, heavy-duty vehicles and heavy equipment, while the former is standard for most light and medium-duty vehicles.

While most drivers will be safe buying an OBD-II tool, this is not true for everyone. Cars and light trucks built and sold before 1996 may have different requirements. Additionally, some manufacturer-specific DTCs are out there.

To avoid wasting your money on an incompatible scanner, check your vehicle manual, research online, or consult with your local TIRECRAFT to find out what vehicle diagnostics tool is needed. And if you have a family or business fleet with multiple vehicles requiring different scanners, it might be more economical to leave it to the experts.

3.   Vehicle Diagnostics Tools Do Not Pinpoint The Problem

Most of the time, vehicle diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) do not tell you exactly what needs to be fixed; they only tell you there’s a problem. For example, P0606 indicates that there is a malfunction in the powertrain control module, also known as the engine control module. But beyond that, it’s left up to the experts to pinpoint what is causing that malfunction.

For most drivers, that means your vehicle diagnostics tool will offer little more than a small head start on your inspection. Unless you have the know-how and equipment to find and fix the problem, you’ll still need to bring your vehicle into the shop, pay for a professional inspection, and cover the costs of the parts and labour.

4.   DIY Vehicle Diagnostics Leave Room For Service Errors

Unless you’re a trained technician, attempting vehicle repairs based on OBD-II codes can lead to costly mistakes. Misinterpreted DTC codes, mishandled parts, and mistakes during repairs can turn minor issues into major problems, and they could void your warranty coverage, too.

For quality repairs, quick service, and true peace of mind, go pro with TIRECRAFT.

5.   DIY Vehicle Diagnostics Cost You Loyalty Rewards Points

If you sign up for the MyTIRECRAFT Rewards program, every dollar you spend on vehicle diagnostics will earn you rewards points that can be used to reduce the price of future products and services that may be needed.

Since you’re likely going to have to bring your vehicle into the shop for a service anyways, you might as well save the costs of an OBD-II scanner and reap the loyalty rewards in the process.

Go Pro With Vehicle Diagnostics: Get A Free Quote From TIRECRAFT

Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Vehicle Diagnostics to learn more about our vehicle diagnostics service, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to get a free quote straight away.

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