Carista OBD2

Overview

Carista OBD2 is a phone and tablet app for iOS and Android that talks to a car through a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner. It covers four jobs: changing hidden settings (customisation), reading warning-light faults, running DIY service procedures, and showing live data. The app is developed by Prizmos, a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria.

It suits owners who want to switch comfort features on or off, read faults beyond the engine, or do routine service resets without a laptop. It does not suit anyone who needs dealer-level work such as ECU programming, or who drives a model Carista does not list. What is available depends on the make, model, year and the scanner used, so check the supported-cars page for your exact car before paying.

Supported vehicles

Carista's supported-cars page lists 34 brands: Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Cupra, Dacia, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Holden, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, MAN, Mazda, MINI, Nissan, Opel/Vauxhall, Pontiac, Renault, Saab, Scion, SEAT, Škoda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

The scanner decides a lot of the coverage:

• Carista OBD (white scanner): Carista lists Audi, BMW, Cupra, Infiniti, Lexus, MINI, Nissan, Scion, SEAT, Škoda, Toyota and Volkswagen models made up to 2019. The App Store listing says it does not work with Ford vehicles or with SFD/SFD2-protected 2020+ Volkswagen Group cars.
• Carista EVO: Carista says it unlocks SFD on Volkswagen Group vehicles made up to 2023, adds Ford, Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo, and supports BMW E-series cars on K-line (up to 2007). Licensed in-depth diagnostics for certain Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dacia, GMC, Holden, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault and Saab models are EVO-only. They do not work with the white scanner or third-party adapters.
• Basic OBD2: the App Store listing offers free basic OBD2 functions for "most 2005/2008+ cars" with an OBD port.

Functions

• Free basic OBD2: standard fault codes, live data and emissions readiness on compatible vehicles.
• Pro – customisation: hidden settings such as the seat-belt warning, gauge needle sweep at start-up and lock beep. The options vary by car.
• Pro – advanced diagnostics: warning-light faults in systems such as ABS, SRS, engine and transmission.
• Pro – service tools: service/oil reset, TPMS reset, electronic parking brake (EPB) service and battery registration, where the car supports them.
• Pro – live data: extended live data, such as BMW live data added in version 10.0.
• Recent additions (from the release notes): AI-generated fault-code explanations, a Car Health Check, diagnostics and service history, fuel-consumption tracking, live OBD2 data on Apple CarPlay, and hybrid/EV battery health for Toyota and Lexus.

What you need

• Device: iPhone, iPad or iPod on iOS/iPadOS 16.4 or later, or an Android phone or tablet on Android 9.0 or later with Bluetooth.
• Scanner: the Carista EVO (ELM327 v2.2-based) or Carista OBD (ELM327 v1.4-compatible), both Bluetooth. Carista also lists these third-party scanners: OBDLink CX, OBDLink MX+, Kiwi 3, vLinker MS, and Android-only OBDLink MX Bluetooth/LX, vLinker FD, vLinker FS, vLinker BM and generic ELM327 v1.4. Kiwi 4 and "Micro Mechanic" scanners are not supported.
• Leaving it plugged in: Carista says the EVO has a low-power sleep mode and can stay plugged in, but the white Carista OBD should be unplugged after use.

Real cost

The app is free to download. Customisation, advanced diagnostics, service tools and extended live data need a Pro subscription. Carista sells 1-, 12- and 24-month Pro plans. The UK App Store lists in-app purchases from £12.99 to £59.99, including "1 month Pro" at £19.99, "3 month Pro" at £29.99 and a "1 Car – Monthly" plan at £14.99. Carista's UK store sold an EVO scanner plus 12-month Pro bundle for £99.99. Prices vary by region.

Refunds, per Carista's app terms: none on Android monthly plans (access runs to the end of the billing period). Android 3- and 12-month plans have a 14-day refund window, but heavy use, such as making customisations, waives it. On iOS, Apple's refund policy applies. The scanners come with a 2-year warranty. Carista's pages do not say what still works after Pro lapses, so check before relying on it.

Getting started

1. Install the app, plug the scanner into the OBD port and switch the ignition on.
2. Open the app and pick the scanner type when asked. Carista says its own scanners need no separate Bluetooth pairing.
3. Generic Bluetooth adapters on Android can take up to a minute to connect and may ask for a PIN. Carista suggests 1234 or 0000.

If it will not connect, Carista's fix is to check that the scanner is fully seated, the ignition is on and Bluetooth is enabled. If that fails, use Report a problem in the settings (gear) menu. Collecting debug data from the Debug menu can take up to 40 minutes. Carista warns about fake scanners that falsely claim ELM327 v1.4 or v2.1 compatibility.

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• Customisation, multi-system diagnostics and service resets in one phone app, with no laptop.
• Works with several named third-party scanners as well as its own.
• Free basic OBD2 functions before you pay.

Limitations

• Most useful functions need an ongoing subscription.
• Coverage depends heavily on scanner, brand, model and year. Several brands and newer VW Group cars need the EVO.
• No ECU flashing or module programming is listed.

How it compares

Within this catalogue, BimmerCode covers coding for BMW and MINI only, while Carista spans many brands. Carly and OBDeleven are also subscription phone apps for diagnostics and coding. OBDeleven's profile says it works only with its own device, while Carista also lists third-party scanners such as the OBDLink CX. Car Scanner ELM OBD2 and Torque Pro focus on generic OBD2 data rather than maker-specific customisation.