Advanced DIY car diagnostics

Your car's health, in your pocket.

Turn your phone into a full car scanner with a Bluetooth ELM327 adapter.

  • Live engine data
  • Read & clear codes
  • VIN recalls
  • Fuel economy

No account to start · Works with any ELM327 · Android 7+

CarScope live gauge dashboard on an Android phone
Works with any ELM327 adapter Data stays on your phone No subscription lock-in — cancel anytime 14-day money-back
What it does

Everything a mechanic sees — in plain English.

CarScope reads the same standardized OBD2 data every shop scanner uses, then explains it the way a human would.

Live dashboard

Watch your engine in real time.

Every gauge updates live the moment you connect — no waiting, no guessing.

  • RPM, speed, coolant temp, and fuel pressure at a glance
  • Customizable gauge layout for the data you care about
  • HUD night mode for windshield-reflection readouts after dark
Live gauge dashboard showing RPM, speed, and coolant temperature
Decode & clear

Understand the check-engine light — then clear it.

Every trouble code comes with a plain-English explanation, not a cryptic four-digit number.

  • Meaning, common causes, and severity for every code
  • Clear codes safely, right from your phone
  • Emissions/smog readiness status before your next inspection
Trouble code screen with plain-English explanation and severity
VIN & recalls · Pro

Know your car's history — and its open recalls.

Decode your VIN and instantly check it against the NHTSA recall database.

  • VIN decoding: year, make, model, and trim
  • Live NHTSA recall lookup, right in the app
  • Trip history, PDF reports, and CSV export for your records
VIN lookup and NHTSA recall results
Live graphing · Pro

Graphs, fuel economy, and a garage for every car.

Track trends over time, not just a single snapshot reading.

  • Real-time graphing of any live parameter
  • Fuel economy tracking and maintenance reminders
  • Multi-vehicle garage — each car keeps its own history
Live data graphing screen with fuel economy tracking
Everything included

One app, every diagnostic tool you need.

Live gauge dashboard

RPM, speed, coolant temp, fuel pressure, and more — updated in real time.

Read & clear codes

Plain-English meanings, common causes, and severity for every trouble code.

Emissions readiness

See exactly which systems are ready for your next smog or inspection check.

VIN & NHTSA recalls

Decode your VIN and check for open recalls straight from the NHTSA database. Pro

Trip history & reports

Export sessions as PDF or CSV — great for your own records or your mechanic. Pro

Multi-vehicle garage

Scan multiple cars, each with its own diagnostic history and notes. Pro

Live graphing & fuel economy

Graph any parameter over time and track your real-world fuel economy. Pro

Light & dark themes

Includes an HUD night mode for glare-free reading after dark.

Maintenance reminders

Set reminders for oil changes, filters, and other routine service.

Demo mode

Try the full interface without an adapter to see what live diagnostics feel like.

How it works

Plugged in and reading data in under two minutes.

1

Plug in an OBD2 adapter

Plug into your car's OBD2 port (usually under the dash). No adapter yet? Our Starter Kit includes one.

2

Pair over Bluetooth

Turn on the adapter, open your phone's Bluetooth settings, and connect. Done in seconds.

3

Scan, decode, and clear

Open CarScope, tap Scan, and watch live data flow in. Tap any code to see exactly what it means.

How it compares

CarScope vs. the usual suspects.

An honest look — no disparagement, just the facts.

Feature CarScope Torque Pro FIXD
Clean, modern UI Yes Dated Yes
Works with any ELM327 adapter Yes Yes Proprietary dongle required
Plain-English code explanations Yes Raw codes only Yes
VIN + NHTSA recall check Yes (Pro) No Yes
One-time / low-cost pricing option Yes — $49.99 lifetime Yes Subscription required
No forced subscription for core features Yes Yes No
Live graphing Yes (Pro) Yes Limited
Data stays on your device Yes Yes Cloud account required
Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing.

Start with 24 hours of full access. No credit card required.

14-day no-questions-asked refund — if your adapter won't connect, we'll refund you.

Free trial

$0

24-hour full access

  • Full access to every feature
  • Starts on first car connection
  • No credit card required
  • Demo mode available anytime
Get started

Basic

$9.99/year

The essentials

  • Live gauge dashboard
  • Read & clear trouble codes
  • Emissions readiness
  • No ads
Best value

Lifetime

$49.99

One-time payment, forever

  • All Pro features
  • One payment — no renewal, ever
  • All future Pro updates included
  • Priority support

14-day money-back guarantee on every plan. No questions asked.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to clear codes?

CarScope lets you clear codes, but clearing doesn't fix the underlying problem. We recommend understanding what the code means first (use our built-in code lookup), then deciding with your mechanic. For safety-critical codes, always consult a professional.

Will it work on my car?

CarScope works with any 1996+ car or light truck that has an OBD2 port (usually under the steering wheel). Most gas and diesel vehicles are covered. Some newer hybrid/EV powertrains may have limited support for certain parameters.

Why isn't it on the Play Store?

We're not on the Play Store yet to keep pricing low and avoid app-store fees, which lets us pass the savings on to you. Sideloading from an APK is safe — see the download page for step-by-step instructions.

Is sideloading safe?

Yes, when you download from our official domain. Sideloading simply means installing an APK outside the Play Store — the app itself is built and signed the same way as any published app. Never download APKs from untrusted sources.

Is it Android only?

For now, yes. We prioritized Android first because Bluetooth OBD2 adapters work seamlessly on Android. iOS support is on our roadmap but requires workarounds due to Apple's Bluetooth restrictions.

Do I need an adapter?

To read real car data, yes — a Bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 adapter. CarScope also has a demo mode so you can try the interface and see what live diagnostics feel like without an adapter. Or get the CarScope Starter Kit, which includes a quality adapter plus a year of Pro.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes. Cancel anytime from your Account settings in CarScope. You'll keep access until your current billing period ends — no proration headaches, no auto-lock-in.

Does it need internet?

Not for reading live data or codes — that all works completely offline. VIN lookup and recall checking (Pro) require internet to query the NHTSA database. All diagnostic data stays on your phone either way.

Ready to take control?

Get 24 hours of free full access. No credit card required.