Yay or nay?
Discover what the internet is saying about Carly.
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about Carly.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
- ✅ Pros
- ❌ Cons
- ⚖️ Summaries
- 💸 Top Discount
✅ Pros
“Maintenance and repairs are covered.”
“You’ll need the app to work alongside the device, but that is free of charge and available to download from the App Store, or Google Play.”
“It breaks down the main error code into sub-codes, all of which you can further scrutinise.”
“Carly aim goes one step further than other OBD II scanners, detecting mileage discrepancies via the Mileage Check and making the device both temptingly small and affordable.”
“The app gives you option to clear the codes should you wish to do so, but the app records the history of them in case you need to refer back to them.”
“The app provides explanations and instructions for each feature, and it also offers tips and recommendations from the Smart Mechanic feature, which acts as your in-pocket expert.”
“The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms, making it accessible to a wide range of users.”
“Carly is easy to use and offers a wealth of information and functionality.”
“If customers already have a Carly Scanner, they can simply download the Carly OBD2 Scanner App from the Apple or Google Play Store, log in with the credentials from their online purchase, and start using Carly by plugging it into their car.”
“This little pocket-sized item can gather hundreds, if not thousands, of data points throughout a vehicle before compiling them onto your phone via the Carly app.”
“There are around two million Carly users worldwide.”
“It has an easy to use interface.”
“Customization options are available.”
“The app guides you through the setup and usage steps.”
“It is quick and easy to setup and configure.”
“It scans your car’s systems and generates a detailed report, identifying any potential issues and providing possible solutions.”
“On selected manufacturers, you can add the Smart Mechanic optional extra – essentially a forum with expert advice on many different cars and fault indications, for a grimace-inducing £35.99.”
“You can change some of the automatic functions that the car might have hidden away, or even individualise things like the way the lights work.”
“A quick look at customer reviews shows the high regard people have for the Carly Scanner.”
“The installation process is straightforward.”
“Access to the Carly Used Car Check is free for everyone, provided you download the app and set up an account.”
“The user interface is clean and intuitive, with clear icons and menus.”
“The tool provides detailed insights into your car’s health, helps prevent costly repairs, and allows for customization that would otherwise require a trip to the dealership.”
“Any petrol car built to be sold in the EU from 2001 (2004 for diesel) will feature the required OBD II port that the Carly plugs into, making it a versatile option.”
“Lifetime warranty and updates are also offered.”
“Connecting Carly to the car was a simple three step process, which took no time at all.”
“It offers great value for money.”
“All Carly Scanners come with a lifetime warranty.”
“Once Carly locates an error, you enter Smart Mechanic mode, where you can further scrutinise the issue.”
“It offers comprehensive array of features for the money.”
“All I had to do was get Carly out of its box – it’s like an oversized USB stick – and plug it in the OBD port on the right from the pedals.”
“The installation process of Carly is straightforward and user-friendly.”
“Running a diagnostic on the car is as easy as tapping on an icon in the app, and after a few seconds, voila!”
“The number of customisation options is absolutely astonishing, and it’s all really easy to do, and perfectly safe.”
“Although it’s a product that’s more popular with BMW owners, Carly is compatible with other brands.”
“Another notable feature of Carly is its coding capability.”
“It features live data display.”
“The scan was easy and pain-free to carry out, with results just seconds away.”
“There’s lots of other things Carly can do, too. Because it has manufacturer-level diagnostics, you’ll find codes you simply wouldn’t discover with cheaper scanners.”
“You can change the appearance of the driver display.”
💸 Top Current Discount
❌ Cons
“Often, garages don’t clear error messages even though they fixed the issue, so Carly may pick up a bunch of error codes left in the system.”
“The pricing is a bit odd too.”
“The range of features available for coding can vary depending on the make and model of your car.”
“Away from the scanner itself, if you begin exploring the Carly app, you’re unfortunately met with a few issues.”
“There are certain settings or options in the car that it cannot change. For instance, some advanced settings or manufacturer-specific features may not be accessible through the app.”
“As with any fault code reader, you’ll likely be alarmed by the number of errors that come back upon a scan.”
“The cost might seem steep to some.”
“It is quite annoying when you have to wait for up to ten minutes to generate a diagnosis on a car.”
“I had a problem connecting to my Fiat Panda.”
“It only works if you have a ODBII port available.”
“It can’t do all tasks for all cars.”
“App can get expensive.”
“The weirdest issue is on the car selector menu: the Audi RS2 was apparently built between 2000 and 2005. Hmmm.”
“Our little i3 came back as ‘Very Bad’, the main red issue is with the infotainment system. Having a fault with the infotainment system will never be a major or ‘very bad’ issue that stops your car from properly functioning.”
“You could spend money repairing something that isn’t entirely needed.”
“There is ongoing subscription fee for premium features.”
“The Carly licenses are an annual subscription.”
⚖️ Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about Carly below.
“Considering how much data Carly provides and the savings you can achieve by fixing smaller issues in your vehicle yourself, you might think it costs thousands of pounds. It doesn’t. You can buy the Scanner only for £74.80, which gives access to full OBD features, including OBD level diagnostics, OBD level parameters, and the emissions check.”
“In conclusion, the Carly OBD Scanner is a remarkable, comprehensive car diagnostic and maintenance tool. It amalgamates advanced technology, ease of use, and extensive features to provide an all-in-one solution for car owners and enthusiasts.”
“The Carly scanner is a brilliant bit of kit that consists of a small plastic dongle-type device, which plugs into the ODBII port of your vehicle. It’s complimented by a fantastic app, which allows you to read, diagnose and clear fault codes that might come up when you carry out a scan. It’s powerful too, so not only can it pinpoint any issues, Thanks to a growing suite of features found within the app, Carly provides a lot of information for what is a relatively small initial outlay and ongoing subscription fee.”
“By extending what an OBD scanner can do, Carly is a cinch to use while also being able to help with maintenance, repair and used car advice. Unfortunately it isn’t suitable for every vehicle.”
“Carly is a car diagnostic tool that connects to your smartphone and provides insights into your vehicle’s health1. It offers features such as diagnostics, coding, battery check, and used car check23. The tool is easy to use, accurate, and customizable, but it also has some limitations and costs.”
“Carly can be a helpful car diagnostic tool which can potentially save you money if you DIY when it comes to fixes. It’s not perfect, as it could send you on a wild goose chase or inform you about faults that really don’t matter. It also has limitations, such as needing a subscription to access some features, compatibility issues with some car models, and the risk of voiding your warranty if you modify certain settings via coding. However, these are minor drawbacks compared to the benefits of Carly if it ends up saving you an expensive trip to a workshop.”
“I think Carly is pretty good value for money. Yes, there are much cheaper fault code readers, but this is one of the few that can give you manufacturer-level diagnostics, and that Smart Mechanic feature could be a godsend one day.”
“A pocket-sized catalyst for preventative maintenance but a couple of small quirks in the app stop it from being perfect.”
“It’s early days, and I’m yet to explore the full features of Carly, but so far, so good. The simplicity of the app is very positive and the lack of faff makes DIY diagnostics easy. At this stage there’s very little I can honestly grumble about. Having said that, I would like the option to be able to pay monthly instead of having to pay the year’s subscription upfront.”