Big Vinny

Active Member
Oct 14, 2012
239
61
I have been using a fully licenced VCDS HEX+CAN for years, and used it successfully with my previous 66 plate Leon with no problems. It was used mainly for error code scans and fixed time interval service indicator reset.

This morning I tried to use it for the first time with my 19 plate Leon using the latest 20.4 software just to get a "Vehicle Not Supported" error message.

The bubble then takes you to a Ross-Tech web page that says something along the lines of "Post the original dongle back to us and we will gladly sell you the updated kit !"

Has anybody else experienced this ? I would be interested to know as it still works on our 15 plate Skoda Citigo. I feel my VCDS days are coming to an end. I am reluctant to buy anything from Ross-Tech USA as it comes with a hefty tax demand from the US IRS - Cheers.
 
Newer cars (2019 onwards I think) need the latest interfaces.

It will still work fine with anything older.


You can buy from UK suppliers (Gendan are the main one I think) but the new cables are expensive unless you want a limit on the number of VINs.

Alternatively look in to one of the mobile based apps like OBD Eleven, Carista or Carly.
 
Or, be braver than me and sell your current version of VCDS on ebay for much money and buy the current HEX2 version with maybe 3 or 10VIN allowance.

I suppose it all depends on how much and what type of recoding that you want to carry out as it seems that OBD Eleven is not quite up to where VCDS is in terms or altering individual bits.

I traded my VCDS back in again for the second time to my supplier but the minimum VIN package you need to buy to qualify for a trade in is 10, which suits me okay, it is the value of the trade in that was miles away from what it is said that you can get selling it via ebay.

Edit:- sorry, I have just re-read your OP, so you have been buying VCDS direct from RossTech, I've always bought mine from Ilexa otherwise known as onboarddiagnostics as I think they were the first official re-sellers in UK for VCDS.

Another Edit:- I've just checked on ebay and last one sold for £330 inc postage!
 
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@Big Vinny , it was the change to the later Golf etc platform that came as part of the facelift to this Leon that caused that issue with VCDS, I knew about that from being on many VW Group motoring forums, so being a "kind/thoughtful" father, as soon as my older daughter bought her 2019 Leon Cupra, I updated my previous version of VCDS.
 
I have been using a fully licenced VCDS HEX+CAN for years, and used it successfully with my previous 66 plate Leon with no problems. It was used mainly for error code scans and fixed time interval service indicator reset.
This morning I tried to use it for the first time with my 19 plate Leon using the latest 20.4 software just to get a "Vehicle Not Supported" error message.
The bubble then takes you to a Ross-Tech web page that says something along the lines of "Post the original dongle back to us and we will gladly sell you the updated kit !"
Has anybody else experienced this ? I would be interested to know as it still works on our 15 plate Skoda Citigo. I feel my VCDS days are coming to an end. I am reluctant to buy anything from Ross-Tech USA as it comes with a hefty tax demand from the US IRS - Cheers.

You need the V2 or the Hex-Net for the later cars, i think you can buy the V2 with 10vins for £299 from UK suppliers then if you wish you can update to unlimited for $169 on RossTech site, that is the cheapest way to go for unlimited VINs. Don't get the 3vin as it works out a lot more expensive to update to unlimited vins.