CGSULIT SC530 OBD2 Scanner Car Diagnostic Scan Tool Code Reader for Specific Make

This scanner was exactly what I needed it has a lot of special features which even 450 dollar scanners don’t have and allows you to complete many functions.

So I started on Amazon looking for any OBDII that also did SRS airbag scan and resets. CGSULIT didnt have the model i needed and I didnt see it on there. I ended up buying and returning 4 different scanners. 2 of them were specific to my Honda and should have worked, they didnt. I have worked on cars for 20 years, I understood what to look for and buy but it wasnt working out.

Then I found CGSulit and decided to get it. I bought the 530 with the Honda software; at checkout it offered another brand for $10... my wife has a Toyota and I was stoked. For $10, why not.

So I waited 5 days or so, and when my scanner arrived all it had on it was GM. No Honda, No toyota. I assumed they probably sent me the wrong downloaded scanner so I messaged customer service. Right away they said they made a mistake, and offered to refund me the $10 I spent for the toyota software along with immediately fixing my account to include Honda and Toyota; all I had to do was plug into computer and download which was easy.

It gets better- I said hey, keep my $10... I would love to keep the GM software (I have a chevy truck so this was fortuitous) and the honda and toyota, no $ changing hands. They said no problem, authorized. I got all 3 programs for a total of $160 out the door. I was stoked.

BUT, was it going to be like the other 4 failed scanners. Fox was one of them I spent $300 on and returned. I plug it in, it read everything on my Honda, cleared my SRS light, and did all the extra diagnostic readings the other scanners said "function not available".

But wait... even better. My wife has been begging me to get her a 2nd programmed key for her Toyota and I refused to pay the $500 to the dealership for the key and program etc. I saw to my surpise this handheld also does prgramming but i wasnt hopeful. I tried another programming unit i got off Amazon and it failed. Anyways... I go on Amazon, bought here a new smart fob for $60 and plugged in this 530 scanner. I couldnt find it at first- you have to do "Quick Scan". After it scans everything, scroll down to Smart Key. Click on it. and youll get into the "program new key" option. It took 20 seconds to do the whole thing.?.? IT WORKED!!

I CANT TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THIS SCANNER HAS BEEN. I called my father, my father-in-law. We are now getting Ford software and can do all our cars. I am so so so happy. Seriously this unit should be $300+ for all it does.

I dont write reviews but the above really happened and my wife is sick of me saying how happy i am with the new scanner. Maybe she wont be upset when she finds out I used our joint spending card to buy it instead of my personal car funds. haha.. we shall see.

Worked well for registering / coding new OEM Banner Battery to a 2017 Porsche Cayman S.
The menus are not as intuitive as on other scan tools, but not many have coverage for modern Porsche cars.

This is a MUST HAVE tool if you have a modern Porsche.

Dealer wanted over $825 for a battery change!

You MUST register the new Battery once installed otherwise you can damage the new battery and your alternator.

No sooner than when I opened the package and removed the SC530 scanner and began to use it on my 2006 Jaguar Vanden Plas, I received an email from Meixi at the company. She offered assistance if I needed anything. Really outstanding service and a truly excellent product.

This review is for the SC530, for which I purchased on cgsulit's site and added software coverage for Mercedes, BMW, and VW/Audi. This review is independent—I paid for these units without any reimbursement. I am not a mechanic, in fact, I’m a psychotherapist for little kids, and a shade-tree enthusiast. It is an amazing time to be alive when so many GenZ and GenX people are ‘Makers’ and ‘Fixers’ and companies like CGSULIT are producing equipment to support that cultural shift!
Since the pros, far, far outweigh the cons--I'll start with the cons------
1. This is a text-based scanner. You have to click through lines of functions and options with mechanical buttons below the small low-definition screen. No touchscreen, not intuitive. Because of it’s basic-ness it only functions off of the car’s battery through the OBD port, when cycling power or unplugging, you will need to reboot the unit each time.
2. There is a basic required knowledge of mechanic-lingo, brand-specific lingo, and in the case of German cars—an ability to muddle-through the German language.
3. This is truly bi-direction —and with that, introduces risk for getting too deep with changes (unmarrying a transmission ECU with the unit, could cost a grand to tow to a dealer for reprogramming!). Beginners can use this—but don’t just mash buttons!
4. Software requires purchase for each cluster of makes. The SC530 always comes with one make of your choice, but if you add for instance, Mercedes/Maybach/Smart/Sprinter package—some makes are more, some are less. (Although it may surprise you, this is also listed as a pro below.
5. Though some features show as bi-directionally accessible through the car’s computer, in my experience, some of these features time-out and don’t actually function across-the-board. Since they update the software regularly, I think you can report functionality issues and hope for it to be addressed in future updates.
Now for the Pros------
1. True Bidirectional scanner. There are no sub $200 scanners---let me rephrase that--- there are no sub $600 scanners that have this feature. Bi-directionality is what makes working on European cars possible. Replace an injector in your 2013 Mercedes, it needs to be recoded—replace the battery in your 2007 7-series Bimmer—it needs to be registered. It is outrageous the simple shade-tree tasks that have to be done at a dealer because you don’t have OE-level Bi-directionality. This scanner is a freak—it literally should not have this capability at this price point. Search any enthusiast forum for Euro cars—this is essential kit from Porsche to Jaguar.
2. You purchase the software for each make (listed above as a Con as well) and own the support and updates for life. Let’s say you buy an Autel MP808k for $799.00. The Autel unit covers every make essentially for that price, it’s certainly bi-directional, more intuitive, touch screen, has internal batter, and about a hundred other benefits. Problem is—it’s about $350 each and every year to update the software—and you can’t just use outdated software to do most of the bi-directional functions like ECU coding or sensor relearning. The cgsulit SC530 is lifetime free updates, which is absolutely crazy and literally the only way to get this support for this price.
3. The cost. Although this is addressed in pro-1, I have to reemphasize the pricepoint. At sub$180, you should only be able to buy something better than a Pepboys code reader. I can’t emphasize enough that the SC530 should not exist with this price, upgradeability cost, or list of functions.
I have had this unit since June of 2020—at the time of this review, approaching two years. I have purchased the above-listed Autel and also an Ancel FX9000 within that timeframe. Those units certainly have benefits over the SC530—but I only consider the SC530 to be the essential scanner within this list.

Joe Alexander

The good news is this device works with little effort and gives more than random codes. There are notes regarding the system involved as well. The bad news is it found some seriously pricey faults in my Range Rover. Better to know ahead I suppose. Recommended product!

This is a very impressive product. The actual fit and finish, materials, and feel in your hand is all just ok. It feels like how much it cost. However after plugging it in I was very surprised how powerful it was. I am used to using Honda’s factory HDS scanner which cost thousands of dollars. This CGSULIT literally can hang right up there with the OEM tool. Highly recommended as a budget bi directional scanner. From programming steering angle sensors, to measuring EGR lift, individually turning off injectors for diagnostic purposes, reading and testing every module in my vehicle, commanding system activations and solenoids… it’s a serious tool for the money. If they could do anything better it would be better feel in your hand and maybe a little faster processing speed as it can be a little laggy. But it’s price point and capabilities more then makes up for all of that.

This device gives you a very good look into the cars systems. If there is something wrong then it will definitely show up as a fault. Thereafter though you will need to review the codes and really dig in to see what the problem is. In many cases only a certified shop can probably fix the problem. But at the very least, this device will give you a window into your cars status when you go to the shop so you know the shop is not steering you in the wrong direction. But if you are a really good mechanic, this tool is very valuable.

I can’t believe how many features this scanner has. It’s bidirectional and will bleed the abs module.

No dedicated battery/alternator test feature.

Option to add additional auto brands …

Easy to update….

Features: 👍🏽👍🏽
Ease of use: 👍🏽👍🏽
Price: 👍🏽

Nice tool that says what it does. Has plenty of features. I bought this for my 2014 BMW X5 (F15) and it worked like a charm to reset my SRS Airbag MIL on my cluster. It found the fault (plug was somehow loose behind the glove box), removed glove box and hooked the connection, read the code again, cleared the code, light is gone and still paid less than at the stealership.

Live features work well too, tested it by connecting my seatbelt and it showed live when it was connected and when not.

I also purchased the Toyota/Lexus/Scion firmware and it works well on my 2008 Lexus IS-F with no issues. I’m glad I stumbled upon a video on CGSULIT tools and after doing some research settled for this one.