I tested OBDeleven, Carista, and Carly on multiple vehicles to find the best one for car diagnostics and customization. Here’s a quick overview:
Quick Answer: OBDeleven is the Winner for VAG, use Carista for other brands not supported by OBD11. Do not buy Carly.
I tested a lot of different Bluetooth OBD scanners
I tested more than 30 different Bluetooth OBD scanners, so the review is crafted based on the level of value it can give you for money spent. Here is a list of the Best Bluetooth OBD scanners.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OBDeleven | Carista | Carly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 + $50/year | $50/year | $150/year |
| Vehicle Coverage | VAG, BMW, Mini, RR, others (engine only) | VAG, BMW, Nissan/Infiniti, Toyota/Lexus/Scion | All brands (limited functionality) |
| Free App Features | Full live data, bi-directional tests, service functions (credits) | Basic read/clear codes | Basic read/clear codes |
| Premium Features | Extensive coding, adaptations, service functions, VAG long coding | Limited to coding and basic diagnostics | Limited to coding and basic diagnostics |
| Overall Rating | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 2/10 |
Pros and Cons
| Feature | OBDeleven | Carista | Carly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Full scan (all modules) Full live data (all modules) Bi-directional SFD unlock (coding for 2020+) Adaptations Long coding One-click apps (pre-made codings) | Full scan (all modules) Service procedures ECU coding (unlock hidden features) | Vehicle coverage |
| Cons | Subscription (PRO Plan) | Not full support of Global OBD modes | Overpriced Limited advanced features False descriptions |
Vehicle Coverage
| Brand | OBDeleven | Carista | Carly |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAG (VW, Audi, etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BMW (Mini, RR) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nissan/Infiniti | Limited (engine only) | Yes | Limited |
| Toyota/Lexus/Scion | Limited (engine only) | Yes | Limited |
| Other Brands | Limited (engine only) | No coding | Limited |
Price Comparison
| Tool | Adapter Cost | Annual Subscription | First Year Total | Subsequent Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBDeleven | $60 | $50/year | $110 | $50/year |
| Carista | $40 (optional) | $50/year | $50-$90 | $50/year |
| Carly | Free | $150/year | $150 | $100/year |
Free App Features
| Feature | OBDeleven | Carista | Carly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Codes | Yes (all modules) | Yes | Yes |
| Clear Codes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full Live Data | Yes | No | No |
| Freeze Frame | Yes | No | No |
| Bi-Directional Tests | Yes | No | No |
| Service Functions | Yes (credits) | No | No |
| Customization | Yes (credits) | No | No |
Premium Plan Features
| Feature | OBDeleven | Carista | Carly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Live Data | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Bi-Directional Tests | Yes | No | No |
| Service Functions | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Customization | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VAG Long Coding | Yes | No | No |
| Adaptations | Yes | No | No |
| Basic Settings | Yes | No | No |
| Control Unit Reset | Yes | No | No |
| SFD + Other Coding Functions | Yes | No | No |
Personal Experience
- OBDeleven: Best for serious diagnostics and customizations for VAG cars. Used for coding, service procedures, and verifying real mileage. Full diagnostic features make it great for buying used cars.
- Carista: Good for disabling seatbelt warnings and minor customizations, especially for non-European cars. Limited functions for serious diagnostics.
- Carly: Overpriced and limited features. Disappointing performance and value compared to others.
Conclusion
- For VAG Cars: OBDeleven
- For Basic Customizations: Carista
- Avoid: Carly
OBDeleven offers the most features and value, making it the top choice for car diagnostics and customizations.
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Hi, I am Juraj “Yuri” Lukacko. I got frustrated by unhelpful and scammy mechanics, so I decided to learn everything about car diagnostics myself. I test dozens of new car diagnostic tools every month along with learning new strategies to fix and customize cars. About Juraj Lukacko (Yuri)
Not sure about the SFD item, especially for a 2023 Audi Q8. I think there’s another level of SFD that odb11 does not handle for the newer cars.
Yea I had some trouble also, but hope it is just temporary. OBDeleven seems still to be more effective than VCDS when it comes to newer VAG cars.