For years, the DS150e OBD2 scanner from AliExpress has been my trusty companion for car diagnostics and repairs. It’s proven its worth on numerous vehicles, handling everything from simple tasks to more complex issues. If you’re a car enthusiast or DIY mechanic looking for an affordable and capable diagnostic tool, you might be wondering about the Best Aliexpress Obd2 Scanner. Let me share my experience and why I believe these scanners are a great option, especially when compared to pricier alternatives.
My first real test with the DS150e was on my previous car, which had a persistent EGR fault code issue. It was a software glitch, causing the EGR system to malfunction even with a brand-new unit installed by the dealership. Frustratingly, even a new dealership-fitted EGR valve couldn’t solve the problem permanently. Luckily, a friend with the same car and problem discovered the DS150e could clear these erroneous codes, saving us both a lot of headaches and unnecessary dealership visits. Over the years, I’ve lent my DS150e to friends and family, including a retired mechanic who missed having access to professional diagnostic tools. He was impressed enough to buy one for himself after using mine. Even my brother-in-law borrowed it after a minor car mishap resulted in a cascade of fault codes. The DS150e cleared them all, and he was surprised by its capabilities.
More recently, on my current MINI, the DS150e has continued to be a money-saver. I’ve encountered EGR valve codes a couple of times, which were easily cleared with the scanner. More dramatically, it helped me resolve a serious airbag warning light issue. This wasn’t just a light; it disabled every airbag and safety system in the car. My basic Bluetooth Android reader couldn’t even detect any codes, let alone clear them. I was bracing myself for a costly repair. As it turned out, the problem was surprisingly simple: a blown boot light fuse. This seemingly minor issue caused the passenger airbag disabled light to malfunction, which the airbag module interpreted as a major fault. Replacing the fuse and restoring the warning light function wasn’t enough; the fault code still needed clearing to reactivate the safety systems. Thankfully, the DS150e was able to clear the code and restore everything to normal.
It’s worth noting that many of these scanners, including the DS150e, often come with additional cables. Unless you’re working on older vehicles that predate the standardization of OBD ports, these cables are generally unnecessary. For cars newer than around 1994, which is when OBD-II became standard, the units typically come with the standard OBD plug and are ready to use. The extra cables are simply adapters for older, proprietary diagnostic ports.
If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly option, there are similar units available on AliExpress at lower prices. You can find them by browsing and comparing different listings.
Link to similar unit on AliExpress
Personally, I’ve been eyeing an upgrade to a Bluetooth-enabled unit without the extra cables, which are often available for around £35 plus postage. However, my current DS150e is still working reliably, so I haven’t felt the urgent need to replace it yet. It’s definitely on my list for a future upgrade, though.
On the other hand, I’ve had a less positive experience with the Carista Bluetooth unit. I tried it twice, drawn in by its advertised coding features. The initial unit cost around £25, with a software subscription of about £35 per year. The first time, I returned it within a week because the coding features were not as comprehensive as claimed. I gave it another try two and a half years later, hoping for improvements. Unfortunately, the software had become cluttered, and basic functions like reading and clearing codes were now behind a paywall. It even flagged nonexistent error codes and demanded a subscription to clear them. While I persevered with testing, hoping to explore the coding features (my main reason for trying Carista again – specifically to disable bulb checking due to LED upgrades), I found even fewer coding options than before, including the light checking settings I was looking for. Therefore, based on my experience, I would advise against Carista. Save your money and explore other options, especially the capable and affordable OBD2 scanners available on AliExpress. For basic diagnostics and code clearing, a best AliExpress OBD2 scanner like the DS150e offers excellent value and performance without the recurring subscription costs and limitations of units like Carista.
