Prices & tax information

All our product prices are inclusive of VAT. The price you see is the price you pay. The only thing added will be the postage & packing price after you checkout.

Payment

Currently we take payment via Paypal or Google Checkout. Both these merchants use the latest internet security and all your credit card details are only submitted to them, no one else, including the vendor.

Delivery

We send out the majority of our items on the same day you order by UK Royal Mail (subject to postal service opening hours - payment must be made by 3pm). All items are sent out via a signed-for service. Any items undelivered will be held by your local postal sorting office.

Terms & Conditions

You can read our full terms & conditions of sale here, in plain english.

Basics on Car Diagnostics:

What is OBD2?

OBD simply stands for On-Board Diagnostics. OBD2 is a set standard across all manufacturers for communicating with your vehicle to read fault codes, live data and reset the check engine light (or MIL - Malfunction Indicator Lamp).

OBD2 uses a standard 16 pin connecting socket - so only one type of plug is needed to connect to any make of vehicle that is OBD2 compatible

In Europe OBD2 is referred to as EOBD but works in the same way.

OBD2 was enforced by law in the US and EU countries so all manufacturers had to ensure vehicles made for sale were OBD2 compatible:

Petrol cars in Europe made for sale on or after January 2001
Diesel Cars in Europe made for sale 2004 onwards
Petrol cars in the USA made for sale 1996 onwards

OBD2 standards

While OBD2 is a set standard for connection, there are still up to 5 different communication types that can be used. When looking at OBD2 equipment always check to see what OBD2 protocols it covers. Our popular PC based diagnostic system and Universal Handheld system cover ALL OBD2 protocols.

Is my vehicle OBD2 compatible?

Vehicles that fall within the above catchment should be OBD2 compatible. However, some manufacturers introduced OBD2 compatibility into their vehicles well before the legislation was enforced. For example, many Fords from 1995 onwards will also work. If you are unsure if your vehicle is compatible, please contact us.

Do I need different connectors for different makes?

OBD2 uses a standard D-shaped16 pin socket but some vehicles that were produced before the legislation was introduced may use manufacturer specific connectors. For example, BMW used a 20 pin socket before 2000/2001 but the vehicles are still OBD2 compatible. We sell adaptors for the popular makes.

I have a 16 pin socket in my vehicle - is it OBD2 compatible?

If your vehicle is older than the years stated above and has a 16 pin D-shaped socket it may or may not be OBD2 compatible. In some vehicles this socket was used but the communication protocol is not OBD2 and in others the socket may not even be connected to the ECU.

How easy is the equipment to use?

Very easy. Just connect and read. Depending on what equipment you buy you will be able to read the fault codes of the vehicle and then look up their definition in a manual. Or in the case of our PC based systems and professional handheld systems the definition of the fault code will also normally be displayed, so you'll know straight away which part to attend to.