can u get cars odometer reading with obd2 scanner

[SanAlexandra]

Yes, you can often get a car's odometer reading with an OBD2 scanner, but it is not a guaranteed or universal feature. The ability to read the odometer depends heavily on the scanner's capabilities and the vehicle's make, model, and year. Basic, inexpensive code readers typically only access standard powertrain and emissions data. To read the odometer, you need a more advanced scanner that can access the Body Control Module (BCM) or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC), where this data is stored. This is more common on mid-range and professional-grade tools.

The process isn't always straightforward. For some cars, the odometer reading is readily available in the live data menu. For others, it may require navigating to a specific control module and finding the correct Parameter ID (PID). It's crucial to understand that while an OBD2 scanner can read this data, it is generally illegal and impossible to alter the odometer reading through the OBD2 port due to tamper-proof protocols.

The table below illustrates the variability of this feature across different scanner types and vehicle vintages:

Scanner Type / Vehicle Age	Likelihood of Reading Odometer	Key Factors
Basic Code Reader (Pre-2008 Car)	Very Low to None	Only accesses mandatory OBD2 PIDs for emissions.
Basic Code Reader (Post-2008 Car)	Low	May access some BCM data, but odometer is not standardized.
Advanced/Professional Scanner (Any Car)	High	Can query specific modules (BCM, IPC) for non-standard data.
Brand-Specific Diagnostic Tool (e.g., VW/Audi VCDS)	Very High	Designed to communicate deeply with all vehicle modules.

For the most accurate and reliable odometer reading, especially for transactions like buying a used car, the dashboard display is still the definitive source. Using an OBD2 scanner is a useful verification method, but its success is contingent on having the right tool for the specific vehicle.

[FinnLynn]

In my experience tinkering with used cars, it's a maybe. My cheap scanner from the auto parts store? No shot. But I borrowed a friend's fancier one that connects to a phone app, and on my Ford, it pulled up the mileage right in the menu. It seems to work on some newer models but is hit-or-miss on older ones. For a quick check, it's cool, but I wouldn't bet money on it being available for every car.

[EvanMarie]

As a technician, I use a professional-grade scanner daily. We can almost always access the odometer reading through the vehicle's internal computers, often from the instrument cluster module. This is a standard procedure for our pre-purchase inspections to verify the dash reading hasn't been tampered with. However, this requires a sophisticated tool, not a consumer-level code reader. The data is pulled directly from the car's digital records, providing a reliable second source.

[LaArianna]

When I was buying my last used car, the dealer showed me the odometer reading using their scanner as part of the inspection report. They explained that it reads the mileage stored in the car's computer, which can help confirm the number on the dashboard is correct. It gave me more confidence in the vehicle's history. So yes, it's a common practice in the industry for verification, but it's done with specialized equipment.

[DelClaire]

Technically, the OBD2 port provides access to a wealth of data, and the odometer value is stored in a vehicle's computer systems. However, accessing it is not part of the standardized OBD2 protocol that all cars must follow. It falls under manufacturer-specific data. Therefore, your ability to see it depends entirely on whether your scanner's software has the correct commands for your specific car's brand and model. It's a feature more common with advanced diagnostic software than with simple hardware scanners.