Scan it before
you pay for it.
The seller says it runs perfect. Two minutes with a $15 reader shows you the codes, whether the check-engine light was wiped yesterday, and what the engine sensors say at idle — before the money changes hands.
The three tells of a hidden problem.
Codes the light doesn't show
Pending and stored codes live in the ECU even when the dash looks clean. Axlyne reads both, in plain English.
The just-wiped tell
Clearing codes resets the emissions readiness monitors. A 'perfect' car with monitors not ready was scanned clean this week — ask why.
VIN that doesn't lie
The VIN comes off the ECU itself. If it doesn't match the title, you're not buying the car you were shown.
Honest limit: a clean scan is strong evidence, not a guarantee — it can't see a tired clutch or a rusty subframe. For expensive cars, bring the Axlyne report to a mechanic and get eyes underneath too.
Selling? Proof moves metal.
Attach a fresh Axlyne report to your Marketplace or Craigslist listing and answer the buyer's biggest fear before the first message. Honest cars sell faster with receipts.
Can a seller hide problems by clearing the codes?+
They can clear the light — but clearing also resets the car's emissions readiness monitors, and Axlyne shows you exactly that. 'Not ready' monitors on a car you're told 'runs perfect' is the classic just-wiped tell.
Does a clean scan mean the car is good?+
No — and be suspicious of any tool that says otherwise. A scan can't see a slipping clutch or rusty frame. It's one strong piece of evidence: codes, readiness, and live sensor data. Pair it with a test drive and, on expensive cars, a mechanic's inspection.
What do I need at the car?+
Your phone and an ELM327 OBD2 adapter ($15–30). Plug it into the port under the steering wheel — every gas car sold in the US since 1996 has one — and scan while it idles.
Does the VIN check match the listing?+
Axlyne reads the VIN straight from the ECU. If it doesn't match the title or the listing, walk away.
I'm the seller — does this help me?+
A lot. Attach a fresh scan report to your listing and you've answered the buyer's biggest fear before they ask. Honest cars sell faster with proof.