I have been very pleased with a programme called Forscan from www.forscan.org. This is a free, Ford (and related Mazda) specific USB OBD2 (OBDII) diagnostics programme that runs on a windows laptop. There is a helpful forum and the programmers (Russian but write brilliant English) seem to have regular updates and new models. I think it can undertake PATS programming.


I use it with a generic ELM327 USB adapter that is modified with a switch to allow the two different types of info bus (HS CAN bus and MS CAN bus) to be read. MS CAN bus is not supported by the stock ELM327. The modified type are for sale on eBay for £12 to £18 including delivery or collection from Argos. Search on "ELM327" "modified" "USB" "forscan". I would suggest somebody with UK stock.


There is a iphone (£4) and android (£?) lite version available that I guess work with the wireless type ELM327 modules and have a more limited functionality. I have not tried a wireless module.