Hi there I want to buy a decent fault code reader to use on my 2004 mondeo and any other car with OBD.

I want to spend up to 150 pounds, can anyone recommend a good make or mode please,

Many thanks - Andy

£150? are you wanting it gold plated and diamond studded

you can get one that definitely works on fords for a tenner, with it being obd it should work on other obd cars too.

this is the general reader

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Universal-OBD2-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-UK-/141287309764?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20e56141c4

this one is for fords and is a more comprehensive one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-F-Super-USB-Code-Reader-Diagnostic-Interface-Scanner-KA-Mondeo-Fiesta-OBD-/121228248129?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item1c39c44441

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Universal-OBD2-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-UK-/321360042220?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4ad28d18ec

Have a look at my signature, you dont need to spend £150 to get a decent setup.

If you want to spend that sort of money, you might be able to buy a VCS clone.

Alternatively F super or a similar product is best for Ford's.

Agreed, the F-super works best for ford but needs a laptop, it has to be Windows XP or Windows 7 (may even have to upload the W7 drivers, as well) i dont think windows 8 drivers are available - this is a bit inconvenient if you have a windows 8 laptop - it also requires a bit of setting up/ messing around - the "stand alone" plug in readers are easier/ more convenient to use

There are several different protocols from different manufacturers', there are Ford- specific ones, not all readers have them

Also, 2004 was the change-over to OBDII being compulsory for diesels, before that it may be OBD1 - further complicating things

Hi there thanks for your replies, much appreciated and just to be a bit clearer I don't need a gold plated one but I also don't want a ten pound one off eBay, I want one that can be used for most cars and gives a reading of the exact fault rather than a numerical code that I then have to match to a database in a book or whatever. It's a tool I don't mind spending a bit of money on because it saves a it of time and money in the long run. I just remember last time a mechanic plugged one into my car it had proper menus and a colour screen rather than just a hand held thing that brings numbers up. I've also got a laptop if anyone thinks that may be a better route to go down but I fancied something I can keep in the workshop. I do a lot of servicing on my friends cars and I wanted to invest in a decent bit of kit that will be easy to use etc, cheers people - Andy

What about this one?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/220971744630?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

Cheers guys

Looks very good and is the sort I would get if I had the money, convenient, standalone, clear. All the properties of an excellent tool

Sent from my MY SAGA C2 using Ford OC mobile app

What about this one?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/220971744630?cmd=VIDESC&gxo=true

Cheers guys

Its ok but does not work on pre 0BDII cars (potentially your car, as it is a 2004 diesel - plug/ socket is the same, but OBDII only readers (like the one you put the link to) are incompatible with OBD1 cars - as i mentioned in post#5) and does not list cars after 2008, will not load on 64bit Windows Operatiing Systems (some versions of XP, 7 and most windows 8)

Save your money and get the F-super for your 2004 Ford diesel, - you could get something else as well for your friends car garages/ mechanics spend a lot of money kitting themselves out with code readers and often still do not cover every car on the market (even heard of main Ford stealers not having ones that work on some Fords )