buying autel scanners from overseas will lock ?

[Michaeld998]

did some digging and decided that autel mk808bt is sufficient for my needs.
the question is what if i would buy the tool online from overseas will they work normally
or locked themselves fully or partially due to geographic/license/legally etc... in some way ?

 

[M635_Guy]

My understanding is they will not lock, but you will not be supported by Autel USA

 

[WWheeler]

What is the best place to shop / buy an autel scanner that will come with Autel USA support? auteleshop.com? amazon?

 

[milkovich]

According to Autel North America the MK808BT Pro is not available in this market so it looks like your only choice is buying from an international dealer.

 

[M635_Guy]

What is the best place to shop / buy an autel scanner that will come with Autel USA support? auteleshop.com? amazon?

The "Autel Store" at Amazon sells mainly overseas models from what I can tell.

I bought my Autel scanner at Napa.

 

[finn]

My understanding is they will not lock, but you will not be supported by Autel USA

That’s how it works with Launch scanners purchased from eBay or Amazon.

If you have an issue and didn’t purchase through an authorized dealer, Launch USA will send you a polite email telling you to go fxxx yourself, as Amazon and eBay sellers aren’t authorized resellers. They say the software on these units is different, and glitchy, so you’re on your own.

I don’t know if Autel has the same policy.

 

[tarmy]

I bought an Autel 808 a few years ago on Amazon. I called (and actually got a real human that was very helpful) before I ordered it. She went on Amazon and looked and said yes they would support it. Bought it and they have been great to deal with.

 

[richfinn]

I have a "Global" Launch X431 I got from Amazon, it's been absolutely 100% fine. updates perfectly on a regular basis

I will be purchasing another newer Launch model from Amazon when this one expires, the mark up by UK authorized dealers on the regional models just isn't worth any perceived "back up" to me.

Any questions I've had have been promptly dealt with via the tool itself by Launch in China.

A lot of the scaremongering is just marketing in my honest opinion (to try get you to pay an extra 50-100% of the price for the exact same software), if it won't work out of the box simply return it to Amazon and pick another seller with better feedback.

Like many others I have mixed feelings about Amazon in general, but I am prepared to put them to one side when buying mass produced stuff that is clearly made in China to keep costs reasonable.

Take a look at Ivan's YouTube channel "Pine Hollow Diagnostics" for the low down on what to buy and when. It's solid info

 

[BombShelter]

I got mine on Amazon three years ago, it was about this time of year and they were having a killer sale on them with a free scope and pocket code reader and something like 25% off. All of the upgrade downloads worked fine and I'd recommend one for anyone with a newer car, the amount of little car things that can go wrong will drive you nuts, these can fix a ton of them.

With all of the counterfeit items online nowadays, I'd play it safe.

 

[finn]

I have a "Global" Launch X431 I got from Amazon, it's been absolutely 100% fine. updates perfectly on a regular basis

I will be purchasing another newer Launch model from Amazon when this one expires, the mark up by UK authorized dealers on the regional models just isn't worth any perceived "back up" to me.

Any questions I've had have been promptly dealt with via the tool itself by Launch in China.

A lot of the scaremongering is just marketing in my honest opinion (to try get you to pay an extra 50-100% of the price for the exact same software), if it won't work out of the box simply return it to Amazon and pick another seller with better feedback.

Like many others I have mixed feelings about Amazon in general, but I am prepared to put them to one side when buying mass produced stuff that is clearly made in China to keep costs reasonable.

Take a look at Ivan's YouTube channel "Pine Hollow Diagnostics" for the low down on what to buy and when. It's solid info

I think, at the time, there were free Launch updates for a year or two. Launch USA told me to deal with the Amazon importer, who, I suspect was based in China.

In the end, mine must have rebooted and “healed” as it worked the tast time I used it (it was locked when I reached out to Launch USA). Launch USA basically told me they are not affiliated with the grey market importers.

I still have the email somewhere. To their credit, they were quick to respond.

I don’t use it much anymore, since my current cars are for the most mart either too new and reliable to need a scan tool, or too old to be compatible.

 

[richfinn]

I think, at the time, there were free Launch updates for a year or two. Launch USA told me to deal with the Amazon importer, who, I suspect was based in China.

In the end, mine must have rebooted and “healed” as it worked the tast time I used it (it was locked when I reached out to Launch USA). Launch USA basically told me they are not affiliated with the grey market importers.

I still have the email somewhere. To their credit, they were quick to respond.

I don’t use it much anymore, since my current cars are for the most mart either too new and reliable to need a scan tool, or too old to be compatible.

Mine came with 2 years free updates, that's good enough for me for around £800, I can live with £400 per year to always have the latest version and add ons.

The Lenovo tablets they use will likely be a better spec when it's time for a new one