Introduction
CarPort is specialized diagnostic software for Microsoft Windows, developed for the maintenance, repair, and configuration of Volkswagen Group vehicles. It supports nearly all VW, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, and Cupra vehicles from model year 1990 onward and is aimed at ambitious DIYers as well as professional workshops looking for a cost-effective alternative to the OEM diagnostic systems.
Unlike generic OBD-2 scanners, which only give you access to the emissions-related parameters of the engine ECU, CarPort implements the manufacturer-specific diagnostic protocols KWP1281, KWP2000, and UDS. This gives you full access to every ECU installed in the vehicle—from engine management and the airbag and brake systems all the way to comfort electronics and infotainment. Depending on the vehicle generation, communication runs over the K-Line (older vehicles up to about 2004) or the CAN bus (modern vehicles). CarPort detects the configuration automatically and handles the technical details for you, so you can focus on the actual diagnostic work.
The feature set covers all essential areas of vehicle diagnostics: reading and clearing fault codes, monitoring sensor and actuator data in real time, activating individual actuators, coding and adapting ECU functions, and performing basic settings after repairs. CarPort also addresses the specific challenges of VAG diagnostics—such as different protocol generations coexisting in one vehicle, protected access areas with login codes, and the cryptographic protection mechanisms used in the latest vehicle generations (SFD). The individual functions are described in detail in the following chapters.
What you need for diagnostics
To work with CarPort, you need three things:
- A Windows PC: a laptop or tablet running Windows 10 or Windows 11—you'll find the details under System requirements.
- A diagnostic adapter: The USB interface connects your PC to the vehicle's OBD port. To find out which adapter enables which functions, see Supported diagnostic adapters.
- A compatible vehicle: nearly all VW, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, and Cupra models from model year 1990 onward—see Supported vehicles.
The Installation & activation chapter explains how to install CarPort and activate your license. After that, the Getting started chapter walks you through your first connection to the vehicle.