Abrites MODI / VIN Reader

One MODI hardware device, two applications. The Abrites MODI is a Bluetooth OBDII interface that runs both the VIN Reader app — free, no licence required — and the MODI Mobile Diagnostics app, which comes with a one-year subscription included. It plugs into the OBDII port, pairs with your phone or tablet over Bluetooth, and needs no laptop.

VIN Reader app

VIN Reader is a standalone application that works with the MODI device and reads the vehicle identification number at the press of a button. The Bluetooth interface is compatible with nearly every vehicle brand on the market, connecting through the OBDII port to read the VINs and mileage stored in the car.

Results appear in under 30 seconds, and the VIN is then cross-checked against stolen-vehicle databases — security for professionals and private owners alike. It also reads the mileage held in every module that stores it, so readings can be compared unit by unit; large discrepancies are a likely sign of odometer tampering. With Selective Scan you decide what to look for — VIN only, mileage only, or both.

Reports: once the VIN and mileage have been read, the report can be saved to a file and shared — useful when a law enforcement officer in the field needs to send data immediately.

Recent update (v2.20.0): a wider range of modules supported for VIN and mileage reading, a fully redesigned workflow for Mercedes-Benz models

Who it is for: law enforcement and government officials, insurance professionals, dealership representatives, garages and workshops, and any owner curious about a vehicle's history. Typical uses include case investigations, border and traffic control operations, on-the-spot security checks, VIN and odometer readings, and stolen-vehicle database searches — lightweight, fast and reliable in the field. Used-car dealers check the VIN before trading a vehicle; the VIN Reader is a quick way to confirm a car for sale was acquired legally.

How it works: install the app (free for iOS and Android), plug in the interface, switch Bluetooth on and connect to the car. The app then scans for modules holding a VIN and for mileage readings. The VIN Reader app is available in 175 countries and regions.

VIN Reader brand coverage: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Skoda, Seat, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Smart, Dacia, Citroën, Peugeot, Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, Kia, Infiniti, Nissan, Datsun, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda, Volvo, Lada, KTM and Polaris. Heavy-duty brands: Apache, Artec, Claas, DAF, Deutz, Fendt, GAZ, Hyundai Heavy, JCB, Iveco, Kenworth, Massey Ferguson, MAN, Merlo, Mercedes-Benz Heavy, Peterbilt, Scania, Tecnoma and CNHTC. Not every model variant within a supported brand is covered, and not every VIN or mileage value can be read — coverage grows with each app update.

MODI Mobile Diagnostics app

Basic Diagnostics mode is completely safe for the vehicle: scan all modules, read and clear trouble codes, monitor live values and generate health reports.

• Full module scan — fast, thorough scan listing every module with its VIN, manufacturer, and software and hardware versions
• Read and clear DTCs — all present trouble codes with details, saveable for later analysis and erasable at the touch of a button
• Live values from every module, in graph or table view — coolant temperature, engine torque, mass air flow, injection quantity deviation, supply voltage and thousands more
• Health Report — a summary of the car's current condition with all trouble codes across scanned modules sorted by condition and quantity, downloadable and shareable with your diagnostician
• Virtual Garage — a space for your vehicles: upload a photo, keep the 10 most recent health reports with export, set service reminders, add digital notes, upload invoices and bills, and export or import a car to another MODI app when you buy or sell

Advanced Diagnostics mode adds everything above plus coding, actuator access, service interval management and personalisation — hundreds of coding and customisation options.

• Actuators and service intervals — test modules to confirm they work: fold mirrors, check lights, open and close windows, lock and unlock doors, check EGR and throttle operation and more; reset service intervals yourself after an oil or filter change
• Coding, personalisation and factory-hidden features — activate Apple CarPlay, mirror folding on locking, locking the car from your phone, enabling or disabling Start/Stop, M or RS badging on the display, Audi needle sweeps, a lap timer, and much more
• Default coding and coding history — restore a module's factory settings or roll back to a previous configuration
• Coding options — Fast Functions appear on the vehicle dashboard screen once you connect and pick the brand, and each module with coding support offers a Fast Coding list of options

Available options vary by vehicle brand, and some functions can cause unwanted behaviour — check compatibility in the Brands tab before relying on a procedure. MODI app brand coverage: Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Toyota, Lexus, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Infiniti, Dacia, Kia, Hyundai, Ford and generic OBDII. The MODI Mobile Diagnostics app can only be downloaded from the app stores in a defined list selected countries.

Technical specification

• Vehicle protocols: CAN 2.0A and 2.0B, CAN-FD, single-wire and fault-tolerant CAN, K-Line and Ethernet (DoIP), routing CAN and K-Line signals to all standard OBD-II pin configurations
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz; Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 at 2402–2480 MHz, +4 dBm maximum output, range up to 60 m in open space
• Build: IP44 rated, −10°C to +35°C operating range, 120 g, 40 × 75 × 20 mm, soft-touch finish, updatable firmware
• Compliance: CE (2014/53/EU Radio Equipment, 2011/65/EU RoHS, 2012/19/EU WEEE), UKCA (Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 SI 1206, RoHS Regulations 2012 SI 3032), contains FCC ID 2AC7Z-ESPS3WROOM1

Ergonomic, multi-brand and genuinely all-in-one — technology in the palm of your hand. Hardware warranty is two years from the date of purchase, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Mileage data is a calculated value derived from data extraction and can differ from real values; Abrites makes no warranty as to the truthfulness of extracted mileage data.