Know before you buy. In 15 minutes, on your phone.
Plug a ~$20 adapter into any used car, drive 15 minutes, and get a clear read on the engine — plus a report you can show the seller.
Test Drive Report
2017 Honda Civic
14:32 drive- EngineOK
- EmissionsOK
- Coolant91°C
- Battery12.6V
Inspected with MechanicAI
The used-car gamble
Sellers can hide a lot. The engine can't.
A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection runs $100–200 and an appointment you may not get before the car sells. MechanicAI gives you a fast first read so you know which cars are even worth that.
Cleared codes
A seller can clear the dash lights right before you arrive — readiness monitors and live data still tell the story.
No appointment
Skip the wait for a shop slot. Run a Test Drive on the spot, while the car is in front of you.
Negotiation proof
Walk in with a shareable report instead of a hunch when you talk the price down.
How Test Drive works
Plug in. Drive. Get your verdict.
Plug in a ~$20 Bluetooth OBD2 adapter
Find the OBD2 port (usually under the dash), plug in the adapter, and pair it in the app.
Drive 10–15 minutes
A normal mix of city and highway lets the engine reach temperature and exercise its systems.
Get a clear verdict + a report you can share
See a plain-English read on the engine and export a report to show the seller.
Worth a Closer Look
2014 Ford Focus
- CodeP0171
- Coolant88°C
- Fuel trim+18%
- Battery12.4V
See a real report
This is what you get.
A clear verdict, the codes we found, the engine's live vitals during the drive, and plain-English notes on what each finding means — all in one shareable report.
Download a sample report (PDF)Why you can trust it
The seller can spin it. The engine data can't.
Unbiased data, straight from the car
The readings come from the engine's own on-device sensors — not the seller's pitch.
Plain-English, AI-explained
Cryptic trouble codes and live values are translated into language you can actually act on.
Only ever raises concern
The on-device safety logic is built to surface problems, never to hide them — so a clean read means clean.
This report is an informational aid generated from your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics during a short drive. It is NOT a substitute for a professional pre-purchase inspection by a licensed mechanic. OBD2 cannot detect many serious problems — including frame/structural damage, rust, accident history, odometer fraud, and many transmission and suspension faults. Do not make a purchase decision on this report alone.
Keep your own car running
Not just for buyers.
Live engine gauges
Watch the engine's key vitals update once per second while you drive.
Check-engine code scanning
Read trouble codes and get plain-English explanations for thousands of codes, powered by AI.
AI chat
Ask follow-up questions about a code or symptom and get a clear, vehicle-aware answer.
Scan history
Keep a record of every scan so you can track how your car changes over time.
Bring your own scanner
Works with most popular adapters.
Works with most popular ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapters (OBDLink, Vgate, Veepeak), starting around $20.
OBDLink
ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter.
Vgate
ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter.
Veepeak
ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter.
Pricing
Start free.
Free
Try it
Includes 3 Test Drives — enough to check a few cars before you commit.
Inspection Pass
$4.99
Shopping for a car? 5 Test Drives, good for 30 days — enough for your whole search.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Does this replace a mechanic’s inspection?
No. MechanicAI is a complement to a professional inspection, not a replacement for one. It gives you a fast, data-driven second opinion on the engine so you know which cars are worth a mechanic’s time.
What can OBD2 not see?
OBD2 reads the engine and emissions systems. It cannot detect frame or structural damage, rust, accident history, odometer fraud, or how the transmission and suspension actually feel on the road. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.
What adapter do I need?
Any of the most popular ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapters (OBDLink, Vgate, Veepeak), starting around $20. You plug it into the car’s OBD2 port and pair it with the app.
Will it work on any car?
Most cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996 have a standard OBD2 port the app can read. Exact live data varies by make and model, and some hybrids and EVs report differently.
Is my data shared?
Your scan data stays on your device unless you choose to share a report. Reports can contain vehicle-identifying information, so you decide what to send and to whom.
How much does it cost?
The app is free to download and includes 3 Test Drives so you can try it. An Inspection Pass ($4.99) adds 5 Test Drives, good for 30 days — enough for a whole car search — and a Pro plan covers ongoing maintenance of your own car.
Check a car before you commit.
Free to download. Bring a ~$20 adapter. Know what you're buying in one drive.