If you like to do your auto repair, you may ask yourself: What is the best and cheapest car diagnostic tool that works? We had the experts at Mercedes Medic list the top ten scanners based on price and functionality. Some of these scanners work only with Mercedes-Benz cars, but most scanners in this list work with European, Asian, and Domestic cars.
1. YOUCANIC Full System Scanner
#1 Best Alternative to Mercedes-Benz Star
Mercedes-Benz cars are complex, and you are wasting time and money without an excellent diagnostic scanner. A good scanner should be able to read and clear fault codes from all control units, modules, and systems on a Mercedes-Benz. YOUCANIC’s full system scanner can read and clear any fault codes from any system.
In addition, to read and clear fault codes from all systems, you can also use the scanner to view live sensor data from anything you like. Get live data from transmission sensors, ABS wheel speed sensors, hybrid batteries, and anything.
The following video shows what the YOUCANIC full system scanner can do on a Mercedes-Benz. It is a great video to watch, but if you want to see the diagnostic process jump to the 15th minute.
YOUCANIC full system scanner also offers bidirectional support. What does that mean? If your car has an air suspension, you can raise the car with the scanner even if the engine does not start. The shifter on the steering column is defective? Well, you can use the scanner to at least shift the transmission to Neutral or Drive. You get the idea. Bidirectional support is usually a function that only comes with expensive scanners such as Star Xentry Diagnostics.
The best thing about YOUCANIC’s full system scanner is that it is not limited to Mercedes-Benz cars only. It has these advanced functionalities for all makes, including Audi, BMW, Honda, Acura, GM, and Hyundai, well, almost all makes and models. The software is already included; you don’t need to pay anything extra.
The Star Diagnostic Scanner (Xentry) is what Mercedes-Benz dealers use and the gold standard for Mercedes-Benz cars; the YOUCANIC full system scanner is undoubtedly one of the best diagnostic scanners for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. YOUCANIC full system scanner is better than iCarsoft MB II and most Launch scanners. YOUCANIC full system scanner can diagnose any control unit. View live sensor data from any sensors, not just engine sensors. Offers bidirectional support. Plus, it works on all other makes and is not limited to Mercedes-Benz cars. Best of all, unlike professional-level scanners such as SnapOn or ThinkDiag, it does not require a yearly subscription. Oh, and YOUCANIC has published many how-to videos teaching you how to be a mechanic.
Lastly, the YOUCANIC scanner works on 1996 and newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles. If you have an older vehicle, such as W210 or W208, that needs the 38-pin connector, this scanner will work but you need to get the YOUCANIC 38 pin MB Multiplexer so that you can access all vehicle systems. Check out an example report here.
2. TopDon ArtiDiag100
Today, we tested the TopDon ArtiDiag100 on one of the most sophisticated and complex vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
We could access every single module on the vehicle and read and clear codes where codes existed. Keep in mind that you will only be able to clear codes that are on STORED statutes. If a code shows the CURRENT status, you need to address the problem, fix the issue, and then come back to erase the code. When you reconnect the scanner, the code will show as STORED; you can clear the code at this point.
The ArtiDiag 100 will allow you to read and clear codes from any module, including Airbag, SRS, Transmission, Air Suspension, SAM, Central Gateway, Engine, etc.
Another advantage of ArtiDiag 100 over scanners such as iCarsoft MB II and Star Diagnostic is that it works on all vehicles, including Ford, Honda, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Subaru, etc.
Vehicle Coverage: Acura, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GM, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Holden, Audi, Dacia, Jaguar, Lancia, Landrover, Opel, Porsche, Romeo, Saab, Seat, Skoda, Smart, Transporter&v-class, Vauxhall, Volvo, Mini, Benz, Maybach, BMW, Rolls Royce, Citroen, Fiat, Abarth, Lancia, Romeo, Peugeot, Renault, Dacia, VW, Bingley, Bugatti, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, Lexus, Daewoo, Hyundai, KIA
2. Autel MaxiCOM Automotive Diagnostic and Analysis System
| Price Range: | $450-$950 |
| Read & Erase Codes: | Yes OBD II CAN |
| Works with: | ALL vehicles 1996 & Newer |
| Details: | Works with German, Asian, and Domestic Cars Read and clear codes from all the systems such as ECU, Transmission, ABS, Traction Contol, Stability Control, SRS, Air Bag, and more. Allows you to program vehicle systems. Test Immobilizer, Key Coding Functionality, and Activation Sensor Initializations, ECU Adaptions, Coding & Module Set Up functionality |
A must for auto repair shops and a treasure for car owners if you can afford one. It works with Domestic, Asian, and European cars. You can check any system on the car, from the ECU, ABS, SRS, Transmission, and more.
It lets you erase fault codes, stream live data, and perform programming. It can also troubleshoot immobilizers, has key programming functionality, and it will allow you to activate and initialize sensors, ECU adaptations, coding, and perform module setup. Almost everything that the dealers can do, this unit can do as well. Plus, it covers most cars and is not dedicated to one manufacturer.
While the initial price of this scanner may seem high, this is a professional diagnostic tool and one of the least expensive for this category. It is a good alternative to Snap-on Solus, a popular diagnostic scanner. This may be the only scan tool that an auto repair shop needs to be able to troubleshoot most cars that comes in for repair.
3. iCarsoft MB II for Mercedes-Benz / Sprinter Professional diagnostic tool scanner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfO6sWOmD-k&ab_channel=MercedesMedic
| Price Range: | $185-$210 |
| Read & Erase Codes: | Yes OBD II CAN |
| Works with: | Mercedes-Benz Only |
| Details: | READ and ERASE FAULT CODES -Engine ECU – Transmission -SRS Airbag – SBC Brakes – Steering Angle Sensor -ABS Brake System and more |
iCarsoft MB II is a powerful scanner released in 2015, and you will not find many reviews on this scanner. It is designed to access all the different modules on your Mercedes-Benz.
It reads and clears trouble codes on systems such as the engine, transmission, ABS, SBC Brake System, SRS, and more. It will allow you to Read Data Stream, Full ECU Diagnosis, Oil Light/Service Reset, Support service lamp reset, and steering angle sensor calibration.
