Obd2 Scanner vs Abs Scanner: Which One Should You Buy?

GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Below: what each kind of scanner reads, where they overlap, the gear that covers both, and a checklist for picking the right reader for the light on the dash.

Obd2 scanner vs abs scanner: what each one reads

An OBD2 scanner talks to the engine control system through the diagnostic port and reads powertrain codes, live data, freeze frame data and readiness monitors. It answers questions about misfires, emissions faults and sensor readings, and it can clear stored codes, which turns the light off once the fault is fixed. A basic OBD2 reader covers the engine system only, which leaves brake and airbag systems unread.

An ABS scanner talks to the anti-lock braking system and reads codes tied to wheel speed sensors, the ABS module and related brake hardware. It answers questions about why the ABS light is on and whether the system has stored a fault, and it can clear stored ABS codes, which turns the light off once the fault is fixed. In these listings, ABS coverage arrives as one system inside a multi-system scanner rather than as a separate box.

Where they overlap

The overlap is wide: most scanners in this guide list ABS alongside engine coverage, so a buyer who wants brake codes does not always need another tool. What varies is depth: a tool may read and clear ABS codes on supported vehicles only, with year limits that matter, The deciding detail is the coverage line in the listing, not the word scanner on the box.

Year coverage is the other overlap trap. These listings state OBDII coverage for vehicles from 1996 onward, but ABS coverage can stop earlier: one listing here states ABS diagnosis only for vehicles prior to 2020, even while its OBDII coverage extends to newer models. Always check the ABS year line separately from the OBDII year line.

The gear: scanners that cover engine and ABS

LEE-3 V800 is the widest multi-system pick here, covering engine, transmission, ABS and SRS airbag systems in a Bluetooth adapter that pairs with a phone app. Its listing states a database of 200,000 fault codes, AI fault code analysis with repair suggestions, support for 44 vehicle brands, Bluetooth 5.1 pairing with iOS and Android, and a free app with lifetime firmware updates and no subscription. Its listing also states it does not support Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep or Lincoln, a limit worth checking before buying.

BlueDriver is the phone-based pick here, a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner with no subscription that reads and clears codes for check engine, ABS, SRS airbag, TPMS and transmission on supported vehicles. Its listing states technician-verified repair reports matched to the vehicle identification number, live data, freeze frames, smog readiness and Mode 6 results, plus gas vehicle coverage from 1996 onward and select light-duty trucks.

Autel AL549 is the handheld pick here, a plug-and-play OBD2 tool that performs complete OBD2 diagnosis across all 10 modes, a one-click readiness check, live data, freeze frame data and battery and alternator checks. Its listing states ABS code reading and clearing for OBD2 standard vehicles prior to 2020 only, so its ABS coverage stops where its OBDII coverage continues, and its package does not include the Type-C cable needed for software updates and data printing.

Autel AL319 is the basic pick here, a professional OBD2 scanner described in its title as an enhanced check engine code reader with fault code reset, live data, freeze frame and CAN coverage for all OBDII vehicles after 1996. Its listing gives title details only, so it sits after the fuller listings here and suits a buyer who wants engine codes without multi-system depth.

How to choose between them

Start from the light on the dash: a check engine light calls for OBD2 coverage, an ABS light calls for explicit ABS coverage, and both lights call for a multi-system tool. Then check the year line for the system you need, since ABS coverage can end earlier than OBDII coverage, and check make coverage, since some listings exclude named makes or extend enhanced coverage only to select models. Then decide between a phone-based Bluetooth adapter and a handheld reader: a phone adapter leans on an app and a phone screen, while a handheld reader works standalone with its own display and hotkeys.

Also weigh what else the tool does on the same visit: readiness checks for emissions visits, live data for watching a sensor while driving, freeze frame data for seeing conditions when a code set, and battery and alternator checks for starting complaints. A tool that covers those jobs in one visit saves another purchase, but only if its coverage lines include the vehicle in the driveway.

FAQ: garage tools

Can a basic OBD2 scanner read ABS codes?

Not unless its listing states ABS coverage. A basic engine-only reader covers powertrain codes, live data and readiness monitors, but brake codes live in the ABS system and need a tool that names ABS among its covered systems.

Do I need an ABS scanner if my ABS light is on?

Yes, you need a tool with explicit ABS coverage, since an engine-only reader will not show the brake fault behind the light. Check the ABS year line for the vehicle, because ABS coverage can end earlier than OBDII coverage on some listings.

Does ABS diagnosis work on newer cars?

It depends on the listing. One listing here states expanded coverage for select Nissan and Mazda models, while another listing here limits ABS diagnosis to vehicles prior to 2020. Read the ABS coverage line for the exact vehicle rather than assuming the OBDII year line applies.

What is the difference between reading and clearing codes?

Reading shows the stored fault and its definition, while clearing erases the stored code; the light stays off only if the fault is fixed, and returns if the fault persists. Clearing without noting the code first loses the clue, so note the code, its definition and the freeze frame data before clearing.

Can one scanner cover engine and ABS?

Yes, multi-system scanners cover engine, transmission, ABS and SRS airbag systems in one tool, as the wider listings here show. The catch is coverage depth by make and year, so confirm both systems list the vehicle before relying on a single tool.

Related: our diagnostics and electrical hub, tablet vs handheld OBD2 scanner, best OBD2 scanner for Chevy, bidirectional scan tool vs OBD2 scanner, the best OBD2 scanner for live data and the best OBD2 scanner for smog check.