Threw $300 down the drain on a 'professional' scan tool that barely worked

I bought a used Autel MX808 from a guy on Facebook Marketplace for 300 bucks. He said it was in great shape and worked perfectly. Got it home, tried to pull codes on a 2015 Ford Focus, and it kept freezing up every 2 minutes. The software version was too old to update without paying another 200. So my question is, am I the only one who's gotten burned on used diagnostic gear or should I have just saved up for something new from the start?

2 comments

2 Comments

ross.jason8d ago

Honestly that sucks but I gotta ask, did you even test it before you handed over the cash? Like plugging it into your own car or something right there in the parking lot? I learned that one the hard way after buying a used scan tool that turned out to be locked to a different shop's account.

graytorres7d ago

Bought a used Autel unit off Craigslist a couple years back with similar results. It locked up during the first update and then the seller ghosted me. What worked for me was just biting the bullet and buying a midrange unit directly from the manufacturer's refurbished page. They usually have older models for like half price with a warranty and full software support. That way you know the software is legit and you can actually update it without paying a ransom. Saved me a lot of headaches and I still use that same unit today. Definitely worth the extra cash to have something that works right.