I use a little $12 dongle I bought from Amazon that connects to my phone along with the Torque App. It lets me read codes, various temp readouts, a decent number of sensors (voltages, air flow, etc.), and can track performance data. If you want more in depth control of things then you'll need a Vida/Dice although I don't know much about them.

 

I bought a VIDA DiCE off eBay for about $100. Does a lot, I mean a lot. You can diagnose just about everything. It only works with Volvos (and Aston Martins rumor has it), but because it is the offical Volvo diagnostic tool, it will give you the most amount of information and will let you adjust and activate your car the best. Only thing dealer will have to do is software updates/reloads.

 

What kind of work are you looking to do? I have had both. The VIDA/DICE is specifically for Volvos so nothing beats it but it's a bit more expensive but pays itself off quick if you actually are looking to do repairs or even just replace small parts. I also had a bluetooth dongle and the torque app which was an easy way to see e.g the coolant temperature but it's of little help if you want to diagnose errors. AFAIK it wont read volvo-specific codes so you'll know you have an ECM code but not what precisely is wrong. I sold the bluetooth adapter after a month.

 

Mostly for myself just to check the car.
The thing is that i know some of these apps and tools but im not really into spending 100$ for them. Thats why im asking here, maybe someone has universal tool for low price which can do such things as read errors, check injector correction and such things.

 

Next time I get in my car I'll try to remember to write down the functions available in my app. It was only about $20 all together. I believe the VIDA/Dice can be had for ~$100 or less on Ebay and will give you all you could want. I don't think any universal readers can scan Volvo specific and lower level codes.

 

Do the inexpensive VIDA DiCE systems work on MY2018 vehicles? Some of the eBay listings imply that 2015+ vehicles are not supported.

 

VIDA became internet-based a few years ago so MY16 and onwards wont work unless you shell out for the full shabang.

 

I will recommend the best diagnostic device, it is thinkdiag. It will enable its user to truly understand their vehicle's needs, translating the check engine light into error codes which diagnose the issues which need to be fixed, saving time and money. This easy to use diagnostic tool is able to scan your vehicle to identify faults, clear codes, and monitor other vitals such as the brake system, steering angle sensor, and emission system. This means that frequent scans will enable you to monitor your car's health status, pre-empting any work which may need to be done before your next big trip! The thinkdiag is trusted by car owners, mechanics, and DIY enthusiasts alike and you can find it on THINKDIAG UK Advanced Diagnostic Tool.