Product details

** This VCDS Interface has been superseded by the NEW Ross-Tech HEX-V2 and Ross-Tech HEX-NET interface range. Prices start at £225 inc. Please Click Here for more details **

Please check the
product comparison chart
to select the required version.

Connect your PC to your VW, Audi, Seat or Skoda car!

Serious car diagnostics interfaces for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda models!

VAG-COM (now re-branded as VCDS) turns your PC into a sophisticated VW/Audi diagnostic tool, that performs the functions of a factory VAG-1551 or VAG-1552 scan tool and more.

Official VCDS (VAG-COM) interfaces from Ross Tech LLC, that work with all systems on some VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda cars using the new CAN interface - i.e. some 2003 and newer cars

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This interface is compatible only with cars based on Mk.5 Golf technology.
The vehicles supported are listed below:

All Golf Mk5/Mk6/Mk7 platform cars including:
- 2003+ VW Touran (1T chassis)
- 2004+ VW Golf/Rabbit/GTI (1K chassis) (2010+ models may have AJ in the VIN)
- 2004+ VW Caddy (2K chassis)
- 2004+ Audi A3/S3 (8P chassis) (2010+ models may have FM in the VIN)
- 2004+ Seat Altea (5P chassis)
- 2004+ Skoda Octavia (1Z chassis)
- 2005+ Seat Toledo (5P chassis)
- 2005+ Golf Plus (5M chassis)
- 2005+ Seat Leon (1P chassis)
- 2005.5+ Jetta/GLI (1K chassis)
- 2006+ Eos (1F chassis) (2010+ models may have AH in the VIN)
- 2007+ Audi TT (8J chassis) (2010+ models may have FK in the VIN)
- 2007+ VW Golf Variant/Wagon (1K chassis)
- 2008+ VW Tiguan (5N chassis) (2010+ models may have AX in the VIN)
- 2008+ Audi A3 Cabriolet (8P chassis)
- 2009+ VW Golf (5K chassis)
- 2011+ VW Jetta (16/AJ chassis)
- 2012+ VW Beetle (5C/AT chassis)
- 2013+ VW Golf Mk7 (5G/AU chassis)
- 2013+ Audi A3 (8V/FF chassis)
- 2013+ Seat Leon (Non-USA models) (5F chassis)
- 2013+ Skoda Octavia (Non-USA models) (5E/NE chassis)
- 2015+ Audi TT (Non-USA models) (8S/FV chassis)

2005.5+ VW Passat (B6 Platform, 3C chassis) (2010+ models may have AN in the VIN)
2008+ VW Passat CC (35 chassis) (2010+ models may have AN in the VIN)
2008+ Skoda Superb (3T chassis)
2009+ VW Scirocco (13 chassis)
2010+ Skoda Yeti (5L chassis)
2011+ VW Sharan (7N chassis)
2011+ Seat Alhambra (71 chassis)
2011+ Audi Q3 (8U chassis)
2012+ VW Passat ("NMS" model - N.America & China only) (A3 chassis)
2015+ VW Polo (6C chassis)

If your car's chassis type isn't on this list, it's NOT compatible with this interface!

All of these chassis-types are the latest generation of that model. Previous generations of the same model are not compatible and should use a KII- or HEX- series interface instead.

If you're not certain, please check your car's VIN. The 7th and 8th digit have the chassis code. For example: WAUMF78P06A0NNNNN is an 8P-chassis Audi A3.

The latest version of this compatibility list is available direct from Ross-Tech here

Using VCDS (VAG-COM), you can:

read and clear fault codes from all systems within the car, e.g. engine, airbag, ABS, instruments, parking sensors etc.
view live data from the sensors within the car
reset service lights (both fixed and variable service intervals)
read stored and intermittent fault codes
graph and log live data with the car running
automatically read fault codes from all car systems in a single search

VCDS (VAG-COM) software features:

over 16,000 fault code definitions
free software updates

To visit the Ross Tech website for more information, please select an option below:

VCDS (VAG-COM) homepage
VCDS (VAG-COM) online software tour
VCDS (VAG-COM) useful procedures and car information (e.g. service light reset procedures)

Packages include:

PC-to-car interface cable (genuine Ross Tech cable)
Certificate entitling owner to support and download of latest software

Please note that the VCDS (VAG-COM) interface does not ship with software on CD - the full, licensed version of the software can be downloaded on receipt of the interface (full details provided with interface)

PC requirements

The minimum system requirements for the VCDS (VAG-COM) software are:

Desktop, laptop or notebook PC
Pentium-3 (or equivalent) processor running at 1 GHz (or higher)
256MB RAM
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10 (32 and 64 bit editions)
Approx. 100MB of hard disk space
USB port

Features

Compatible only with the latest cars that require a direct CAN connection
This interface is not backwards compatible with older cars using K-lines for diagnostics
Please see list further up this page page for compatibility
Bi-Color (red/green) status/activity LED
12 month guarantee against defects
Protocol timing indistinguishable from a real VAG/VAS tool
Acts as a dongle for VAG-COM software - no software activation required. Use on any PC.

Product comparison

** PLEASE NOTE ** This is a discontinued product and this comparison information is no longer maintained, so is likely to be outdated.
Please see the comparison section of an in-stock VCDS product for current information. **

Below is a comparison of the VCDS we offer.

Please click a product link to view more information on the required product.

	Enthusiast Interface (CAN Only) Full support, but only cars based on the Golf Mk 5/6/7 platform (where ALL onboard systems use CAN)	Professional Interfaces ISO-9141 (KKL) plus CAN Instant Connection Speed, Fastest Sample Rates, Greatest Compatibility with "Difficult" Control Modules
Package Name	Micro-CAN USB	HEX-USB+CAN	HEX-USB Power Bundle	HEX-NET®
Price including fully-registered VCDS software (inc VAT and delivery)	£214.00 Click here	£299.00 Click here	£328.94 Click here	10-VIN limit £430.00 Click here Unlimited VINs £625.00 Click here

Connection to PC	USB	USB	USB	USB/Wi-Fi
Coverage Years	2003-2015 (Golf mk5/6/7 platform only)	1996-2015	1992-2015	1996-Current date
Recommended for Professional Use	No	YES	YES	YES (Unlimited VIN version)
VCDS-Mobile included	No	No	No	YES
Compatible platforms	Windows	Windows	Windows	VCDS: Windows VCDS-Mobile: Platform independent
Use with dual K-Line (2002+ Audi A4, A6 models)	No	YES	YES	YES
Acts as a "dongle" for VAG-COM, No "Software Activation" required	YES	YES	YES	YES (Registration required)
Protection from the "Aftermarket Radio Problem"	YES Electronic	YES Electronic	YES Electronic	YES Electronic
Status/Activity LED	YES Red/Green	YES Red/Green	YES Red/Green	YES Multiple LEDs
Supports latest cars which require a direct CAN connection	YES (Golf mk5/6/7 platform cars only)	YES	YES	YES
Supports VW Crafter vans	No	YES	YES	In development
Enhanced protocol timing, compatible with 1991-1994 Audi 1Z TDIs and 1993-1994 2.6L V6	No	YES	YES	YES
Field Upgradeable Firmware in Interface	YES	YES	YES	YES
"Turbo" Mode for Measuring Blocks on newer KWP-2000 ECUs	No	YES	YES	YES
Adaptor leads for earlier VW, Audi and VW LT van included	No	No	YES	No
3 metre USB extension lead included	No	No	YES	No
Hard plastic carry case included	No	No	YES	YES
Product link	Click here	Click here	Click here	10-VIN Unlimited-VIN

Frequently asked questions

Will VCDS (VAG-COM) work with my car?

VCDS (VAG-COM) will work with most Volkswagen and Audi models sold worldwide from 1994 to 2012+. It will work with some cars as early as 1991. It will also work with most 1996-2012+ SEAT and Skoda models.

Certain 2003 and newer models (see below) do require the CAN-enabled interfaces (HEX-USB or Micro-CAN), whereas earlier cars only require the KII-USB interfaces.

If your VW or Audi has a 16-pin OBD-II style Data Link Connector, VCDS (VAG-COM) will definitely work. If your car has the old '2x2' Data Link Connection, please check the wiring to the connectors: if there are four wires, VCDS (VAG-COM) should work. If there are only three, it won't.

Please see these Application Charts where you can select your model and see which modules can communicate with VCDS (VAG-COM). Also see the Ross-Tech Issues page for a few things that may not work as expected.

What is CAN and why is that different to the earlier cars?

CAN stands for Controller Area Network. CAN is a new means of communicating with the car for diagnostics used by the latest generations of VW, Audi, SEAT, and Skoda vehicles (certain models from 2003). Unlike the older ISO9141 system which used a single K-line for diagnostic communications, the new CAN-Bus system uses a twisted pair of wires with differential signaling. CAN is considerably faster than ISO-9141 (500 kpbs vs. 10.4 kbps). Both new hardware and new software are required in order to communicate with cars using CAN for diagnostics.

Which VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda cars use CAN for diagnostics?

Some examples of the newer cars that require the CAN-enabled interface are:

All Golf-5 platform cars (A5 platform) including:
- 2003+ VW Touran (1T chassis)
- 2004+ VW Golf/Rabbit (1K chassis)
- 2004+ VW Caddy (2K chassis)
- 2004+ Audi A3/S3 (8P chassis)
- 2004+ Seat Altea (5P chassis)
- 2004+ Skoda Octavia (1Z chassis)
- 2005+ Seat Toledo (5P chassis)
- 2005+ Golf Plus (5M chassis)
- 2005+ Seat Leon (1P chassis)
- 2005.5+ Jetta (1K chassis)
- 2006+ Eos (1F chassis)
- 2007+ Audi TT (8J chassis)
- 2007+ VW Golf Variant/Wagon (1K chassis)
- 2008+ VW Tiguan (5N chassis)
- 2008+ Audi A3 Cabriolet (8P chassis)
- 2011+ VW Jetta (16/AJ chassis)
- 2012+ VW Beetle (5C/AT chassis)
2003+ Audi A8 and A8L (D3 platform, 4E chassis)
2005+ Audi A6/S6/RS6 (C6 platform, 4F chassis)
2005+ Audi A4/S4/RS4 ("B7" platform) (some control modules)
2005.5+ VW Passat (B6 Platform, 3C chassis)
2006+ Audi Q7 (4L chassis)
2007+ VW Touareg (7L6 chassis) ("facelift", built after Nov. 30 2006)
2007+ VW Phaeton (3D chassis) ("facelift", MY 2008+)
2007+ Audi R8 (42 chassis)
2008+ Bentley Continental GT/Flying Spur (3W chassis) ("facelift", MY 2008+)
2008+ Audi A5/S5 (B8 platform, 8T chassis)
2008+ Audi A4/S4/RS4 (B8 platform, 8K chassis)
2008+ VW Passat CC (35 chassis)
2008+ Seat Ibiza (6J chassis)
2008+ Skoda Superb (3T chassis)
2009+ VW Scirocco (13 chassis)
2009+ VW Golf Mk.6 (5K chassis)
2009+ Audi Q5 (8R chassis) (2010+ models may have FP in the VIN)
2009+ Seat Exeo (3R chassis)
2010+ Skoda Yeti (5L chassis)

Will a HEX-USB+CAN interface work with the earlier non-CAN cars?

Yes. The HEX interfaces support the earlier non-CAN cars as well as the later CAN-enabled cars.

How do I access the earlier cars with the 2x2 diagnostic connector or the VW LT Van with the round Mercedes connector?

You can purchase the 2x2 extension cable for just £15 (inc VAT and delivery) or the LT Van adapter for just £20 (inc VAT and delivery).

What are the computer requirements?

A PC running Windows. The minimum recommended spec is:

at least a 1 GHz Pentium-3 (or AMD equivalent)

256MB of RAM

Windows XP or newer

VCDS (VAG-COM) may work on some lesser PC's, but anything less than the above recommendation is unsupported. USB interfaces will not work at all with Windows 95, 98 or NT4.

Available disk-space is a total non-issue, VCDS (VAG-COM) requires less than 100 MB.

Systems running Windows in a virtualized environment (for example Virtual PC on a Mac) are not supported.

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions, please also visit the Ross Tech website.

Product reviews

If you've already purchased this product, you can submit a review here.

4 customers have reviewed this product so far, with an average score of 5/5

Displaying reviews 1 to 4 of 4

Review submitted on 28/06/2016 by Paul Timms

the rosstech vcds micro can is a brilliant product works straight out of the box, easy too use , has sloved all my problems/queries. the staff at gendan, are the best ,nothing is too much trouble for them ,they gave me a lot of help when things got to be a problem (the haribos) didnt influence me one bit,i can recomend gendan and its staff to anyone,great products very helpfull and great knowledge base.many thanks guys.

Review submitted on 08/11/2015 by Brian Robertson

Great customer service from both Gendan and Ross-Tech I'm very impressed with the VCDS MicroCAN USB interface which I purchased from Gendan for my 2014 Golf mk7 2.0 TDI. The ability to Auto Scan and in particular list pending faults stored in the ECU is very useful. I intend to explore more features of this brilliant product in the future. I registered my VCDS MicroCAN with Ross-Tech and shortly afterwards emailed them a technical question they got back to me within 1 hour!

Review submitted on 07/11/2015 by [name withheld]

Tried a cheap copy I borrowed, spent hours trying to get it to communicate with car, didn't work, waste of time.

Bought this Micro-CAN lead primarily to clear the orange airbag indicator and Airbag Fault! message on my Mk5 Golf (due to MOT in two weeks) which I caused by starting my car with the dashboard stripped and the Passenger airbag off indicator lamp disconnected (schoolboy error!) whilst fitting an aftermarket head unit a few months ago.

Received it next working day, opened package and, as per the included instructions, downloaded latest VCDS software v15.7.1 from Ross-Tech, installed on 32bit Windows 10 laptop took ~ 10 minutes.

Connected Micro-CAN to laptop and car, launched VCDS and within one minute I'd cleared the airbag fault code, the orange light and message have now gone!

I also found a bunch of other codes for things I didn't even know were wrong.

Expensive but it worked first time...to put it in perspective though the local dealer wanted £147 + VAT to investigate the airbag light...this will pay for itself the next time I use it.

Review submitted on 04/03/2015 by Mr John Foster

First of all, a big thank you to the guys at Gendan Ltd. Thanks for a fantastic, super quick service. The whole experience from online order to delivery I cannot fault. Excellent.

Second, the product. What an excellent device to have for any serious professional or enthusiast alike. Followed the instructions to the letter and the device was up and running without any problems.

After having my local Volkswagen dealer, put the wrong oil in my Golf and subsequently, destroying the engine and needing a completely new engine from Germany, I am determined to keep a close eye on what, when and how my vehicle is being looked after in the future.
It just so happens, I have been able to clear some historical DTCs left after my local Volkswagen dealer replaced my engine, catalytic converter, Lambda sensors and fuel injectors.

Well worth the £209.95 paid.