What car model years can you check with OBD2?

In the United States, OBD-II data and diagnostics are available for model year 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles.

OBD2 is widely implemented worldwide under variations such as EOBD in Europe. Timelines vary by market, so the exact cutoff year depends on where the vehicle was built and sold. The overview below outlines the common regional cutoffs and what that means for scanning your car.

Scope by Region and Year

The following timelines reflect typical regulatory requirements and practical adoption. Keep in mind exceptions may exist for certain makes/models and retrofit programs.

• United States: OBD-II is mandatory for most light‑duty vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickups, vans) from the 1996 model year onward; 16‑pin DLC in the engine bay provides standardized fault codes and live data.


• Europe (EOBD): For new vehicles, petrol engines have been required to support EOBD from 2001; diesel engines from 2004; many countries have since adopted the standard broadly across markets.


• Other markets: Adoption largely followed in the early‑ to mid‑2000s, with most new vehicles after the early 2000s offering OBD-II or EOBD compatibility; always verify for a given model and market.

In practice, that means most cars you see on the road in the late 1990s and later will be accessible with a standard OBD2 scanner, depending on where they were marketed.

Old vs New: OBD I vs OBD II

Prior to OBD-II, vehicles used OBD-I or manufacturer-specific diagnostics with varied connectors and codes. OBD-II standardized the 16‑pin DLC (J1962) and a common set of trouble codes, allowing a single scanner to access a wide range of vehicles. This standardization is what enables the broad compatibility that consumers rely on today.

For model years 1994–1995 in the United States, many vehicles ran OBD-I, which often required dealer tools or dealer‑specific adapters to access data. In Europe and other regions, early adoption patterns varied, but the general shift to OBD-II occurred across the late 1990s into the early 2000s.

Practical considerations for buyers and DIYers

When planning to use an OBD2 scanner, check the vehicle’s model year and market origin. A few practical notes:

• US vehicles from 1996 onward are generally compatible with OBD-II scanners.


• EU and other regions follow EOBD/OBD-II timelines that typically align with petrol 2001 and diesel 2004 milestones; verify for diesel and petrol separately.


• Some older or specialty vehicles may require manufacturer-specific tools even if they were produced late in the OBD-I era; confirm via the owner's manual or dealer.

Bottom line: if your car is 1996 or newer and was sold in a market that adopted OBD-II, you should be able to connect with a standard OBD2 scanner and retrieve codes and live sensor data.

Summary

OBD2 compatibility primarily follows model year cutoffs by market: the US standard begins with 1996 model year vehicles; Europe’s EOBD rollout began for petrol in 2001 and diesel in 2004; other regions followed in the early 2000s. Always verify for your specific vehicle based on model year and the country of sale, and consult the vehicle’s manual or dealer if in doubt.

Does OBD2 work on all cars?

No, OBD2 does not work on all cars; it's required for all gasoline and alternative fuel passenger cars and trucks sold in the U.S. since 1996, and diesel vehicles since 1997, but older cars and some electric vehicles do not have it. While many vehicles built before these dates may have an OBD2 connector, they may not be fully compliant with the standard and might require an older OBD1 scanner. 
Vehicles that are compatible with OBD2

• U.S. vehicles: All gasoline and alternative fuel passenger cars and light trucks from model year 1996 and newer, and diesel vehicles from model year 1997 and newer. 
• European Union vehicles: Gasoline vehicles must be OBD2 compliant from model year 2001 and newer. Some have had it since 2000, and some diesel vehicles are also compliant. 
• General rule: Most cars built since the mid-1990s are OBD2 compatible. 

Vehicles that are not compatible with OBD2

• Older cars: Vehicles built before the 1996 U.S. mandate, or 2001 E.U. mandate, are not OBD2 compliant and may require an older OBD1 scanner. 
• Some electric vehicles: Electric vehicles are not required to have OBD2 systems because they are not producing local emissions, but some might have it for other reasons. 
• Some older or foreign cars: Some older or foreign cars may have different systems that are not fully compatible with standard OBD2 scanners. 

How to tell if your car is OBD2 compliant

• Look for a sticker or nameplate under the hood that says "OBD II compliant" or "OBD II Certified". 
• Locate the 16-pin OBD2 connector, which must be within three feet of the driver's seat and does not require any tools to access. 
• If your car has a 16-pin OBD2 connector, but was manufactured before 1996 (in the U.S.), it is likely an older OBD1 system. 

What vehicles are compatible with OBD2?

Most vehicles sold in the U.S. since 1996 are OBD2 compliant, and compliance varies by country and fuel type for other regions. To check if a specific vehicle is compliant, look for "OBD II" on the under-hood emission control information label, and verify the vehicle's age and region against compliance timelines.
 
This video explains how to choose an OBD2 scanner for your car: 1mTrue Tech FindsYouTube · Dec 27, 2024
How to check for OBD2 compliance

• Check the under-hood label: Look for the "OBD II" or "OBD2" text on the emission control information label, typically located under the hood. 
• Verify the year: Most gasoline and alternate-fuel passenger vehicles and trucks are required to be compliant in the U.S. if they are 1996 or newer. Diesel vehicles are generally compliant from 1997 onward. 
• Consider region and fuel type:
  • European Union: Petrol vehicles are typically compliant from 2001, and diesel from 2004. 
  • Japan: Vehicles are generally compliant from 2002 onward. 
  • Australia: Most passenger vehicles have been compliant since 2006. 
• Note on electric vehicles: Electric vehicles (EVs) do not require OBD2 because they do not produce tailpipe emissions. 

Where to find the OBD2 port

• The OBD2 port is usually located within three feet of the driver's seat, behind a panel or under the dashboard. No tools are needed to access it. 

What year do vehicles use OBD2?

Does my car have OBD II? All 1996 and newer model year gasoline and alternate fuel passenger cars and trucks are required to have OBD II systems. All 1997 and newer model year diesel fueled passenger cars and trucks are also required to meet the OBD II requirements.

What cars don't use OBD2?

Moreover, cars that don't produce local emissions (e.g., fully electric cars) are not required to have OBD2. As a general guideline, your passenger car with a spark or compression ignition is most likely to be OBDII compliant if it was manufactured or registered after: USA: 1996.