Prius 2006,first time owner!

Having received the code from Autel, can you reliably determine the cause of the problem or immediately localize the search to a specific block?
Especially without other parameters?
Unlikely. This requires experience, knowledge and a little luck.

 

I'm not going to challenge you on that, because I've never personally dealt with that issue.

I have successfully used an Autel AP2500E, a cousin to the AP200, to diagnose a problem in our car. It very directly led me to the problem, a wheel bearing hub. My other OBD scanner showed no problems at all- because it had no way of interrogating the many other ECUs in this car.

The Autel did it. It took me right to the issue, and then immediately let me clear the code after I replaced the bearing hub.

All I'm saying is that if you're going to have a single tool to cover the car, it probably should be this Autel setup, because it is not terribly expensive, covers the whole car to the limit that onboard diagnostics can, and works with the smartphone that nearly everyone already owns.

I have no argument against using other apps and tools and combining results from such to learn more and develop further insight- in fact I welcome it.

And here's the thing: you can always put off the purchase until something happens. Most dealers now (fall 2024, USD) charge $180 to do the diagnostic scan you can get out of these $70 Autel setups- just to put it in perspective.

 

Okay!
Let's agree that everyone uses what suits them and what achieves the best results.