Autel MaxiScan MS409 Reviews

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Good product for the price
Scanner was just as advertised. Great deal for the money. I was trying to diagnose a problem with my Toyota
Prius. Unfortunately, Toyota has some proprietary codes that are not defined by this Scanner (or any other outside
of Toyota's service department).Otherwise a great value... 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Money well spent- er saved that is
Picked this code reader for it gives a brief narrative discription of what's wrong with which system- generalized information but good to know when you have no reference materials available to look up a code... The last time I needed to know what a code number was indicating was on a van when I was back deep in the NC mountains. Drove that van 400 miles home before I knew what the code indicated. That van blinks out code numbers.

Received this device yesterday. Read the code on a Lincoln/Ford product with the "service engine soon" light on last night, then, did some research on the Internet last night and looked at a DVD factory service manual I have for the vehicle... Picked up a $32.00 EGR pressure sensor at Auto Zone, installed it, cleared the code from the car's computer and now the vehicle is back in business running properly without the service engine soon light lit up.

Around here, would likely have spent significantly more for someone competent to fix the car for me than I spent on this code reader and the part. Can figure on $100 minimum at a dealership even with no overpriced parts... Am giving it five stars for it suits me just fine. It's sturdy/not cheap looking with a good nylon carry case and a USB cable for updates via the Internet. When I take that vehicle out of town next time, this device will likely be on board. May just keep it in the vehicle.

Harbor Freight tools sells an identical code reader for $100. (their regular, non sale price- saw it marked at $90 in a local HF store one day). So, the $80 I paid must be about right/reasonable for this unit. Folks that have a little know how under the hood would likely benifit from a code reader. They start around $40 for the cheaper models it looks like. Where I live, many repair shops will price gouge people that just don't know..

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Scanner was just as advertised. Great deal for the money.
Reason for my 5 stars:
1st: Great price
2nd: Easy to understand manual,
3rd: Great Features (love the Freeze Frame had a Code P1320 on my 2000 Nissan maxima
Ignition Signal Failure or bad ignition coils but which 1 my car have 6(total cost to
change all 6 $500-$600)used the Freeze Frame feature and found a code P0303 meaning cylinder #3
or coil #3 was bad,cost of new coil $70-$100 and I can change it myself,so total cost of repair
1 Great Scanner (Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD) $77.00 + 1 ignition coil $100 = $177
4th: Great Price
5th: Great Price 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Works great
The item was delivered quick and works great to pull and clear codes on all three vehicles I've tried it on. Seems well built and very easy to use. 


Autel MS409 Good Buy, Happy Customer
Hi All,
I got this item very quickly, ordered Friday recieved on Monday with AMAZON PRIME. I bought this because of an intermittent engine light in my 2006 Acura TL MT, (it comes on about every other day). After reading some of the other reviews here the first thing I did was to look at the device info and write down the serial number, software number, etc. all stored electronically. I just ran a diag and it came back with a code that seems to be correct. P2138- Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor / Switch D/ E Voltage Correlation. This is something that has failed in my car when it was still in warranty. The scan began and finished in about 1 minute or less. The build doesn't seem cheap, it just looks like it's made to take a beating, like it's sturdy enough to take a few falls/drops. I am very satisfied with the purchase and I believe since I only payed $51, it has already paid for itself in one scan. I can't speak for the software CD or updating because I ran my test with the device straight out of the box and didn't use the supplements. I read reviews on random forums concerning this model/type scanner and all were satisfied, as I am too.
Thinking about it? This is a great price. There are cheaper builds for about $40, but they are reviewed as too cheap. I've only seen one other scan tool for $50 that is OBD2/CAN and it was a bluetooth device but it had no reviews. This has it's own memory to store your codes after a diag run, and it also reads out generic and manufacture specific codes. 


Autel MS409 Excellent Scanner
The first thing one notices as they open the box is how sturdy feeling this scanner is. The buttons have a firm and positive feedback that is noticable even when wearing neoprene gloves. The connector cable for the OBD-II is sufficiently long to be usable in just about any situation. The battery backup is a nice feature where you can carry the scanner to your computer and reference the codes without having to remember them or write them down (nice when your car is pounding out codes like crazy!). I also like the code clearing feature - this works better than unplugging the battery b/c doing so still leaves a previously stored code in the OBD-II that may be picked up at inspection, despite turning off the 'check engine' light.

I would have liked to see a feature that could keep old codes stored in addition to new ones so you can compare conditions. It would also be nice if it had realtime monitoring, but obviously that feature would be significantly more costly.

This is a must-buy if you have a car with more than 100k miles. It lets you see what codes are showing "not ready" status which is very important come inspection time. If your state allows a car to pass with a given # of "not ready" indicators, you can wait until your car is within the state's parameters, get it inspected, then not worry about the 'check engine' light thwarting your need for transportation (although it is always best practice to repair whatever is being reported by the scanner ASAP). 


Autel MS409 Get the code then you use that info to compare several shop's prices
I shopped around because I used to work in an automotive shop with these scanners. This was the best overall deal I found.

This scanner is fantastic. Its very inexpensive for what it can save you. Nicely built, nice packaging, very sturdy, even explains the codes as soon as they appear. It even upgrades itself to the latest info over your PC's USB connector! Best of all, it clears those nuisance codes that dealers make bucks off every time you need your state inspection sticker etc.

I bought this scanner after having to go to the BMW dealer three times at $42 a pop. Twice I had already accurately figured out what was likely the cause. I now frequently have friends coming over to get the code 'Check Engine' light turned off before they go in for the state safety inspection. You just get the code info before so you know what you will need done, then you use that info to compare prices at several shops before you go to the dealer and 'assume the position.' Often my friends decide to do the job themselves or even go to an independent to get it done cheaper.

Information is power. I suggest you get your own powerful information before you need it 

MaxiScan MS409 very helpful
very good buy for the price i got. My car throws check engine light often and its good to have this product to erase that annoying light. top of the line for the price i got it for. cheers 


MaxiScan MS409 good product and easy to use~
when my CEL lighted, I felt a little worried, but I did not like to go to any dealer without information about my own car, so I ordered this Scaner online, it arrived soon, and worked very well, with a P0171 code, I knew where the problem was. thanks, it worths to have one scaner like this. 


MaxiScan MS409 Best Buy
The best tool I ever bought online. This is very simple to use and works every time, although I only used it twice. Given the fact that this cost less than a visit to the mechanic, i would recommend it to Saturday mechanics. Did i mention amazon had the best price for this type of tool.