Spot the fake VAG-com/VCDS

[RichardSEL]

There's been a few VCDS dongles being offered as "genuine" but second hand. As a satisfied customer of Ross-Tech thought I'd post this URL in this forum to help anyone who needs to know how to know genuine from fake.

The fakes only work with certain versions of VCDS software supplied on CD ROM. The genuine dongles arn't supplied with a CD. VCDS is downloaded from Ross-Tech's server when you buy new. Current version for non-Cloud is 14.10.01

More detailed info with pix is at:
VWVortex.com - Beware: LA Area FAKE Vagcom."Distributor"

Sale of counterfeit goods is theft. And thus a criminal offence under the Copyright Act. If you get offered such don't intervene but 'phone 999 if the seller is still around (you're entitled to use the emergency service as it's termed "Suspects On" in the control room) Or 101 the non-emergency number if the seller's not around.

[Doctle Odd]

This is genuine but software comes on cd? VCDS for VW, SEAT, Skoda and Audi - ilexa Onboard Diagnostics Crasher mentioned this seller some time ago. I used VCDS belonging to a mobile mechanic last year it was well out of date as he didn't have internet on his laptop. I think he bought from Ilexia.

[Carew]

Counterfeit goods are becoming a major safety problem, i have heard of counterfeit alloy wheels disc pads and disc plates on sale on the internet.... beware the bargain!!

[Doctle Odd]

Counterfeit goods are becoming a major safety problem, i have heard of counterfeit alloy wheels disc pads and disc plates on sale on the internet.... beware the bargain!!

I couldn't agree more. Fake everything is available for small money. Type China OBD into any search engine, google gives 775000 results. eBay is extremely dodgy now too and the owners don't give a rodents rectum because they make so much money. I still buy stuff on eBay but only if you can collect in Argos and nothing that's safety critical. I have the web of trust thingy on Firefox and the amount of red and orange warnings on these sites is huge. One guy is selling fake VCDS, from, he says Germany but posted in Sweden via registered Singapore post. How the hell do you deal with that if you're legit?

[taxi3528]

I bought brake pads for an old v8 Rover off evil bay, absolute s**** they were, smoother than a piece of glass after a few miles.

Stick with the motor factors or the dealer.

[RichardSEL]

Yes, Ilexa are listed on:
Ross-Tech: Distributor List

And they're putting VCDS on CD ROM too. I didn't get a disc when I bought. But got mine direct from Ross-Tech when there were no UK agents in 2009. The link I posted will tell the genuine dongle from fake though... (pix from Uwe, the Mr Ross in Ross-Tech)

Thanks for the update

[Doctle Odd]

I heard 2 reports of fake Chinese clones shorting cars here in Iredland. The damage was so bad cars were scrapped. very expensive cheap cable!

[Carew]

As they say "let the buyer beware !!"

[RichardSEL]

Yes, they're getting everywhere. Had to go out to a 2010 CC with a G450 sensor fault. Owner had changed it for one from GSF. Here's what he said after I'd been and identified it from ETKA:
"It appears that it was the original sensor and the replacement from GSF which were at fault."
Replacement was in an original official, all stamped up with logos box indestinguishable from the box from dealer spares.

Problem is there are some gems to be had from China. Last year gambled on a set of LED indicator/DRLs from Alibaba. Perfect, still going strong. And last week had my GlowShift boost and oil pressure gauges installed. Bought in the US but made in Tiawan. Excellent so far!

It'll only be a few years before Chinese-made cars get to be as reliable as a VW... er, erm...

[Doctle Odd]

Yes, they're getting everywhere. Had to go out to a 2010 CC with a G450 sensor fault. Owner had changed it for one from GSF. Here's what he said after I'd been and identified it from ETKA:
"It appears that it was the original sensor and the replacement from GSF which were at fault."
Replacement was in an original official, all stamped up with logos box indestinguishable from the box from dealer spares.

Problem is there are some gems to be had from China. Last year gambled on a set of LED indicator/DRLs from Alibaba. Perfect, still going strong. And last week had my GlowShift boost and oil pressure gauges installed. Bought in the US but made in Tiawan. Excellent so far!

It'll only be a few years before Chinese-made cars get to be as reliable as a VW... er, erm...

Have you seen the cars? Weird looking Mercedes 190 copy and a Beemer copy that looks like a madman chopped it up and reassembled it blindfolded. Mmmm