What is the difference between OBD-II and manufacturer diagnostics?
| Type | OBD-II (universal) | Manufacturer diagnostics (OEM) |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Reading general, standardized fault codes | Precise diagnosis of each individual electronic control unit (ECU) in the vehicle |
| Licensing | Usually no special license required | Requires an official license or subscription from the manufacturer or a certified provider |
| Accuracy | Limited information, only basic data | Full, model-specific details for each vehicle type |
| Examples | ELM327 + Torque app | XENTRY (Mercedes), ODIS (VW), ISTA+ (BMW) |
Is there a legal requirement to use licensed software?
Yes. If you run a Kfz-Werkstatt (car repair workshop) in Germany and you use software that:
provides safety-relevant services (e.g. brakes, airbags, ABS units), or
deals with key encryption, immobilizer functions, resetting codes, or programming control units (ECUs),
you are legally required to use licensed software (lizenzierte Software) from the vehicle manufacturers or from approved suppliers.
According to, among others:
EU Regulation (EU) No. 2018/858
§ 29 StVZO + HU guidelines (HU-Richtlinie) for the periodic inspection (HU)
DIN EN ISO 15031-6 (standardisation of OBD data)
What are the main diagnostic programs by manufacturer?
| Manufacturer | Program name | License? | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VW, Audi, Skoda | ODIS | Yes | Requires VAS interface (VAS diagnostic hardware) |
| BMW, Mini | ISTA+ / Rheingold | Yes | Online login required |
| Mercedes | XENTRY Kit | Yes | Direct license from Daimler |
| Opel, PSA | DiagBox | Yes | License needed from Stellantis |
| Toyota | Techstream | Yes | Monthly or yearly subscription |
| Universal OEM | Bosch ESI[tronic], Delphi DS150E, Autel, Launch | Some partly licensed | Quality ranges from medium to excellent depending on version and license |
What are the licensing costs?
| Program | Approximate annual price |
|---|---|
| ODIS (VW OEM) | 500–1,000 € + hardware |
| ISTA+ (BMW) | 900–1,500 € |
| XENTRY (Mercedes) | ~1,200 € |
| Bosch ESI[tronic] | 600–1,200 € depending on functions/modules |
| Launch/Autel (commercial) | 200–500 € per device per year for updates |
Note: Very cheap devices such as “Launch X431 Pro” or “Autel MaxiSys” often work well in practice, but they are not officially recognised by TÜV or OEMs, especially when it comes to programming and coding control units.
Is there a central database for approved (certified) software?
Yes, you can refer to, for example:
SERMI certification – mandatory since 2023 for certain security-related functions (e.g. keys, immobiliser systems)
Euro 5/6 manufacturer portals – allow you to purchase official access licenses for ECU programming and diagnostics for many vehicles
The editorial team of the website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may be uncertain. Therefore, the information in this article should be regarded as an initial reference only; you should always contact the competent authorities to obtain confirmed and legally binding information.
