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VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2026 11:32 am
by The_Laird
Hoping this is the right place to put this. If not, mods, could you move it please?

I have a VCDS HEX+CAN for many years and it still works fine on my D2 S8 and my 2008 TTS. But recently, I’ve tried it on a more recent TT and a ‘22 A4. It connects and scans but I don’t get much information and it doesn’t clear error codes. It throws up a message along the lines of the interface not compatible. Is there a cut-off year? And do I need to buy another opne to diagnose more recent models?

Thanks, Jim

Re: VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2026 1:49 pm
by MikkiJayne
HEX-CAN works up to about 2018 I think, latest I've tried it on is 2014. For later stuff the HEX-NET is needed as the protocols changed beyond what the HEX-CAN dongle could cope with.

Re: VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2026 3:28 pm
by HPsauce
Indeed, I've occasionally tried to help my neighbours to diagnose issues with their VAG cars and while her old Polo is fine, their newer Audi Q3 is a waste of time.
Somewhere I've got a really old registered copy that I occasionally consider for a trade-in, but most people I know with newer VAG cars just go to the dealer so it's not worth doing. HEX-CAN is fine for the D2 obviously.

Re: VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2026 5:55 pm
by The_Laird
Thanks guys - that clears that up for me.

Re: VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2026 11:15 am
by markiii
its not VCDS level, but I sue OBD Eleven on teh Wifes 2016 Golf and its can do most stuff, albeit they charge for tokens and each coding modification uses tokens.

However for diagnosis its free once you've bought it

Re: VCDS doesn’t work properly on newer Audis

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2026 7:39 am
by The_Laird
I had some limited success on a 2016 A4, but it still wasn’t fully functional.