For DIY car enthusiasts and home mechanics, investing in a reliable diagnostic scan tool is crucial. I’ve personally been using the Autel MS906TS for over four years now, and it’s become an indispensable part of my garage. While it’s positioned as a higher-level tool, one of the key questions for any DIYer is whether it represents the Best Diagnostic Scan Tool For The Money. Let’s delve into my experience to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
My primary reason for choosing the Autel MS906TS was its extensive capabilities, bridging the gap between basic OBD2 scanners and professional-grade, dealership-level equipment. Crucially, I wanted a tool that could handle European cars, as my garage includes BMWs, Mercedes, and a Range Rover. Module coding was a feature I decided against needing for DIY purposes, especially considering the subscription costs for manufacturer data. Initially purchased for around $1300, I believe you might find used options at more budget-friendly prices today, making it potentially an even better value proposition.
In practice, the MS906TS has consistently delivered on its promises, particularly with my Mercedes. From intricate tasks like air suspension diagnostics and troubleshooting NOx sensors and DEF heaters to general maintenance, it has proven invaluable. For my BMWs, it’s been mostly used for routine tasks like resetting maintenance lights and brake work. With the Range Rover, it has aided in diagnosing DPF issues, throttle body relearning, and activating solenoids to pinpoint emissions problems. Across all these brands, the live data and graphing functions have been essential for accurately identifying faults, saving considerable time and guesswork.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The cost of updates is a significant consideration. After the initial two years of updates included with the purchase, renewing them is quite expensive, often costing half to two-thirds of the original tool price. For someone working on older vehicles like myself, this cost is hard to justify unless newer car models are added to the fleet. Another frustration is the near-complete lack of instructions. Navigating the tool can be a trial-and-error process, as each car manufacturer’s software interface behaves differently. While initially frustrating, I’ve come to realize this is more a reflection of the car manufacturers’ systems than a fault of Autel itself.
Despite these minor issues, the Autel MS906TS has proven to be a robust and reliable tool. The battery life remains excellent, and its speed is still impressive. For DIY mechanics focusing on European vehicles and needing advanced diagnostic capabilities beyond basic scanners, the Autel MS906TS stands out as a strong contender for the best diagnostic scan tool for the money, especially if you can find it used or are comfortable skipping updates after the initial period. Just be prepared for a learning curve in navigating its functions across different car brands.
