The best car code readers allow you to easily diagnose problems with your car before you spend a lot of money on a mechanic.

While they can’t fix your car’s mechanical problems, they can tell you where to start. These tools are a must-have for anyone looking to buy a used vehicle, allowing you to quickly uncover any glaring flaws that the previous owner may have forgotten to mention.

The Ancel Classic OBD scanner is easy to use, even for those who don’t like working on cars. It works on most cars made after 1996 in the US or after 2000 in the EU or Asia and supports multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian and German. The large LCD screen has a white backlight, making it easy to read even in low light.

If your code turns out to be minor, this device can turn off that annoying check engine light. The scanner comes with a 2.5-foot, well-insulated cable that connects to your car’s OBDII data link connector; no other battery or charger is needed, because it charges through that link. With a three-year warranty, you can go with this scanner with peace of mind.