I tested this $40 OBD-II scanner that could save you hundreds on auto repairs

Forget about the funky name, the Bozfnuq V520 Professional is a competent OBD scanner with a few extras at a great price. It packages the ability to interpret generic fault codes with turning off the check engine light and a comprehensive I/M Readiness pre-inspection routine. The V520 Professional sets itself apart from the crowded handheld scanner market with a cool way to print status screens and reports via a QR code, although it disappoints by lacking firmware updates and manufacturer specific fault codes.

Read the review to see if the V520 is truly a pro or just a talented automotive amateur at a good price. 

Bozfnuq V520 Professional Review: Pricing and availability

At $40, BozFnuq’s V520 Professional is a good balance between price and OBD features. It sells for the same amount as budget scanners but has several added abilities to diagnose a reluctant ride. Similar units are available from Garmee, Brangdy and others.

Bozfnuq V520 Professional Review: Design

The appearance of the V520 Professional handheld scanner is dominated by its black case, orange keys and white lettering. It’s easy to hold and use, although its 8.3 ounce weight is about halfway between the heaviest and lightest scanners of its size.

At 6.7 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches, the V520 Pro is slightly smaller and lighter than others in its class, like the Launch CR529. With a 33-inch cord the V520 Pro can’t reach into the engine bay, and on its own is meant for use inside the vehicle’s cabin. It worked with my 6-foot OBD extension cable. 

Designed to be held vertically, the V520 Pro has a bright 2.8-inch color screen that, unlike others in its class, has light and dark presentation modes. It sadly lacks a touch screen, though. The nine key interface adds the luxury of both an I/M Readiness pre-inspection routine as well as a BAT button for checking on the battery’s voltage and status. The combination of the two can mean catching a fault early before it becomes a problem. 

Bozfnuq V520 Professional Review: Setup

All I had to do was plug the Bozfnuq V520 Professional scanner into my Subaru Outback’s OBD port and its nine tile interface lit up on the display. I was able to do anything from running a pre-inspection check to scanning the entire car to checking on the battery’s stats.

Unfortunately, the V520 lacks a complete manual, just a 13-page booklet. The rudimentary YouTube video has a synthesized narration and was just as unsatisfying . It showed many of its major features but lacked any how-to items. 

The V520 includes a three year warranty. It can’t accommodate firmware updates.

Bozfnuq V520 Professional Review: Performance

In addition to its fault-code duties, the V520 Pro shows a variety of live data parameters, including engine speed, coolant temperature, throttle position and air flow. The data can be graphed with thin line plots on the unit’s screen.

The V520 Professional scanner let me save any screen or report as a QR code that I opened by shooting it with my phone. This is a great way to document a problem with a used car or put together a digital paper trail for a mechanic to look into.

In addition to a dedicated battery checking routine, the V520 can call up old faults, but the scanner lacks service bulletins and help figuring out how to do the repairs. It can neither run a cylinder balance test nor reset the Change Oil light.

Having the I/M Readiness test key made checking the overall health very easy. After I unplugged the driver’s occupant sensor module, the V520 recorded my induced occupant sensor fault. It went back to normal after I reconnected it. 

Bozfnuq V520 Professional Review: Verdict

The “Pro” in Bozfnuq’s V520 Professional may be a stretch because the OBD scanner lacks enough pro features to appeal to garage mechanics. Still, it offers a lot for DIYers at $40 by showing live data, reading generic fault codes and turning off the check engine light. 

Any result or report can be read on a phone via the creation of a QR code, and I appreciate its three-year warranty and its ability to run in light or dark mode. Unfortunately, the V520 can neither tap into manufacturer specific fault codes nor update its firmware, meaning it can’t improve over time. 

A basic OBD scanner, the Bozfnuq V520 Professional is nonetheless a bargain for all it does.