Almost every iCarsoft single-brand tool comes as a V1.0 and a V2.0, with €60 between them (€134.95 against €194.95). The V2.0 diagnoses every system and has 9 service functions; the V1.0 covers the main systems and just 2 functions: oil reset and steering angle. If you plan to do more than read faults, the V2.0 is the one to go for.
V1.0 vs V2.0 comparison table
| V1.0 single-brand | V2.0 single-brand | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €134.95 | €194.95 |
| Systems | Engine, transmission, ABS, airbag and other modules | All systems |
| Service functions | 2 (oil and SAS) | 9 |
| Screen | 2.8″ colour TFT, 320×240 | 4.0″ colour TFT, 480×320 |
| Languages | 6, including English | 15, including English |
| Updates | Free for life via USB and PC | Free for life, via TF card and PC |
| Bidirectional control | No | No |
Figures from the official iCarsoft spec sheets for VAWS, MB, BMM, VOL, OP, LR and POR. For the V1.0, the official spec sheet gives a 2.8″ screen, although the manufacturer's comparison table says 3.5″.
The difference you notice most: functions
With the V1.0 you can reset the service reminder and calibrate the steering angle sensor. With the V2.0 you also get:
- Electronic parking brake (EPB), to change rear pads without forcing the calliper motor.
- Diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration.
- Battery registration (BMS), required on many cars when you fit a new battery.
- ABS bleeding.
- Injector coding.
- Electronic throttle (ETC) relearn.
- TPMS reset.
If you have a diesel with a DPF or a car with an electronic parking brake, that alone makes the V2.0 worth it. You will find the procedures in how to release the electronic parking brake and how to regenerate the DPF.
Systems and screen
The V1.0 reaches the main systems: engine, transmission, ABS, airbag and some other modules. The V2.0 gets into every control unit accessible through OBD2, including the body and comfort modules. That makes all the difference when the warning light on your dash is not the engine light but one from a secondary system.
The V2.0 screen is also bigger and sharper, which you will appreciate when scrolling through lists of live data. Both are button-operated.
Updates and languages
According to iCarsoft, both versions get free lifetime updates, with no subscription. The method differs: the V1.0 connects to a PC over USB-C to update, while the V2.0 uses a TF card that you prepare on the computer with the reader supplied in the box and then slot into the tool. Either way you download the software from the iCarsoft website.
Languages matter too if several people will use the tool. The V1.0 offers English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish and Italian. The V2.0 adds Czech, Swedish, Russian, Hungarian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Polish, Danish and Finnish, for 15 in total. Both work in English.
Versions by make
| Make or group | V1.0 | V2.0 | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda | VAWS V1.0 | VAWS V2.0 | VAG |
| Mercedes, Smart | MB V1.0 | MB V2.0 | Mercedes |
| BMW, Mini | BMM V1.0 | BMM V2.0 | BMW and Mini |
| Land Rover, Jaguar | LR V1.0 | LR V2.0 | Land Rover |
| Volvo, Saab | VOL V1.0 | VOL V2.0 | Volvo |
| Opel, Vauxhall | OP V1.0 | OP V2.0 | Opel |
| Porsche | POR V1.0 | POR V2.0 | Porsche |
Two useful details. On BMW, cars built before 2001 need a 20-pin adapter, with both the V1.0 and the V2.0. For the MB V2.0 there are optional adapters: 38-pin for Mercedes built before 2003 and 14-pin for the Sprinter T1N.
For French, Italian, Japanese, Korean and American makes, the V2.0 groups many makes into a single tool: the FR V2.0, the JP V2.0 and the US V2.0. You can see them all under single-brand diagnostic tools.
When does the V1.0 make sense?
If all you want is to read and clear engine, gearbox, ABS and airbag faults and reset the service light, the V1.0 does the job and you save €60. It is a good glovebox tool for finding out what is wrong with the car before you take it to the garage.
As soon as you want to change pads on a car with an electronic parking brake, replace the battery or regenerate the DPF, you will need the V2.0. Given the small price gap, and unless you are certain you will never use those functions, it is the one we recommend.
Which version for your situation
- Diesel Golf or SEAT Leon with a DPF: VAWS V2.0. Sooner or later you will need filter regeneration, and the electronic parking brake on models that have one.
- Petrol Mercedes where you only want to clear the service reminder and check for faults: the MB V1.0 does the job.
- BMW or Mini that needs a new battery: BMM V2.0, because battery registration is only on the V2.0.
- Land Rover with a warning light from a body or comfort system: LR V2.0, which reaches every system.
The box for both versions contains the unit, a pouch, the main OBD2 cable, a USB-C cable and the manual. The V2.0 adds the TF card reader you use to update it. Both come with our 3-year warranty.
If you need something more
Neither the V1.0 nor the V2.0 is bidirectional. If you want active tests or have cars from several makes, the CR Pro+ is bidirectional, has 48 functions and covers 58 makes for €339.95. We compare the options in multi-brand or single-brand?.
