Does OBD2 Diagnostics Void My Car's Warranty?

Many owners hesitate to use a personal scanner for fear of voiding their manufacturer's warranty. Here's what you really need to know, particularly under European law.

What European law says

European regulation guarantees free access to OBD2 diagnostic information for vehicle owners and independent repairers — simply reading fault codes via the standard OBD2 port is part of this guaranteed access, and cannot legally be used as grounds to refuse a manufacturer's warranty.

What could actually cause a problem

Simply reading or clearing fault codes with a consumer scanner changes no vehicle parameter and therefore cannot cause a fault covered by the warranty. The real risk would come from misuse — unauthorised reprogramming, changing engine parameters with a professional tool not intended for this use — which is not the case with a standard reading scanner like ours.

Our recommendations

• ✅ Keep your servicing invoices, even for work done yourself, along with the parts used
• ✅ Only use the read and clear code functions, without attempting any reprogramming
• ✅ If in doubt about a specific case, contact your manufacturer for written confirmation

FAQ — Warranty and OBD2 scanner

Can a garage detect that a scanner was simply plugged in?

Some vehicles log a history of OBD2 port connections, but simply reading codes is not grounds for a warranty refusal under European regulation.

Does this also apply to cars still under manufacturer's warranty?

Yes, European regulation on access to technical information applies to all vehicles, including those under manufacturer's warranty.

Do I need to tell my garage I use a personal scanner?

It's not a legal obligation, but transparency is always good practice if a fault is later discussed.