A universal diagnostic tool differs from a brand-specific original diagnostic tool in that it isn't tied to a single manufacturer, but can communicate with many different vehicle brands via stored protocols and control-unit databases. That's usually exactly what "for all vehicles" means: broad brand and system coverage in a single device, instead of having to buy a separate workshop tool for every brand. How far this coverage actually reaches depends on the specific device, its software licence and the individual vehicle – more on that in the next section.
What does "diagnostic tool for all vehicles" really mean?
"For all vehicles" means, in practice: a device covers a very large number of brands and models, but never literally every single vehicle or every special function without gaps. No universal diagnostic tool on the market – not even one with "over 100" or "over 150 brands" – automatically supports the full range of functions of a manufacturer's own original system for every brand. Which vehicles and functions are actually available always depends on the manufacturer, model, model year and the installed control unit. Reputable providers therefore state an update guarantee: brand coverage grows continuously over the device's service life, because new vehicle models are constantly added via software update. If you read "for all vehicles", you should therefore understand it as "for the vast majority of common brands, with steadily growing coverage" – not as a promise for every special protocol or every factory function.
Universal or original diagnostic tool – what's the difference?
An original diagnostic tool (brand diagnostic tool, e.g. for BMW or the VAG group) is tailored to exactly one manufacturer and achieves full depth there – including factory coding, control-unit programming and brand-specific service functions, just as used in a franchise dealership. A universal diagnostic tool forgoes this brand exclusivity in favour of breadth: it reads and provides fault codes, live data and many service functions across numerous brands – ideal for independent workshops, vehicle dealers and fleet operators who don't just look after one brand. If you mainly service a single brand and need every factory function there, you're better served with an original diagnostic tool; if you work across brands, you'll benefit from the versatility of a universal device.
What should you pay attention to regarding brand coverage?
When it comes to brand coverage, it's not just the raw number of brands that counts, but above all three things: the update guarantee (how long and how often is the vehicle database extended for free), the depth per brand (is it enough for reading fault codes, or are coding/service functions also possible), and how up to date the covered model years are. A high brand count alone says little about how well an individual model is actually supported. In practice, it has proven useful to specifically ask about the update period and the concrete range of functions for your main brands before buying, rather than relying solely on the marketing figure.
Which universal diagnostic tool covers the most brands?
In this shop's Universal Diagnostic Tools PKW category, several models from the Vident iSmart range cover over 110 vehicle brands, supplemented by a multi-year update guarantee that keeps adding new models over time. For workshops that also look after commercial vehicles, there are also combi devices in the Universal Diagnostic Tool PKW, Truck & Bus category, combining car coverage with truck and bus coverage. Two examples from our current range with broad brand coverage:
Vident OBD2 Diagnostic Tool with Software & Bluetooth VCI for over 110 Brands
An affordable entry into multi-brand diagnostics: the Vident OBD2 Diagnostic Tool with Software & Bluetooth VCI for over 110 Brands (€799) combines a Bluetooth VCI adapter with diagnostic software for over 110 vehicle brands – suited to independent workshops and ambitious DIY mechanics who don't want a separate tool for every brand. 
Vident iSmart Diagnostic Tool for Independent Workshops – Adapter Set
For professional workshop use: the Vident iSmart Diagnostic Tool for Independent Workshops – Adapter Set (€1,499) comes with the Vident iSmart diagnostic software including an adapter set, and likewise covers over 110 vehicle brands – with a correspondingly larger range of functions for daily workshop operation. 
Conclusion: a universal diagnostic tool is the right choice if you work across brands and don't want to keep a separate tool for every manufacturer – as long as you interpret the "for all vehicles" claim realistically and pay attention to the update guarantee and actual range of functions for your main brands. If you have questions about the right model choice, our team will be happy to advise you personally on 0711-3654 4645. Buy now, pay later is available via Klarna or PayPal.