CARMEL, Ind. -

ADESA announced Tuesday it has added OBD2 emissions codes to the condition reports of vehicles inspected at its locations.

The auction company has streamlined OBD2 (onboard diagnostic II) scans through a new process, meaning inspections at ADESA vehicle logistics centers will include emissions codes more clearly displayed on condition reports moving forward. OBD2 represents a standardized system onboard car computers used for self-diagnostics and reporting.

The company said the codes will now be directly added from the scan at the point of inspection and displayed on ADESA condition reports, and will appear as text in a "clean and easy to understand table format." 

According to ADESA, OBD2 scans can provide more comprehensive diagnostic information on vehicle lights or issues that are already disclosed in standard inspections. They also have the potential to give sellers and buyers deeper information to "help understand the root causes and magnitude of vehicle issues," the company said.

ADESA emphasized that the resulting codes from an OBD scan will not impact the vehicle’s AutoGrade. 

John Hammer, chief commercial officer of  parent company KAR Global and president of ADESA, said in a news release: “We’re constantly improving our inspection process and condition reports to ensure our customers are getting the clear, accurate and actionable data they need to be successful.

"OBD2 scans and the data they provide aren’t new to the industry, but the speed, delivery and clarity of how we’re displaying them to our customers is what will make a significant impact. We’re ensuring both our buyers and sellers have a faster and clearer path to the key information they need to make smart decisions.”

How does it all work? ADESA inspectors will now have Bluetooth devices that will integrate results directly into the vehicle’s condition report.

ADESA said in the release: 

  • If the Check Engine Light is on, the condition report will show the corresponding active emissions codes.
  • If the Check Engine Light is off and no OBD2 codes are shown, the condition report will display “no diagnostic codes were reported."

"Armed with OBD2 information at the point of inspection, sellers can easily make pre-sale reconditioning decisions to repair the cause and clear codes prior to sale, adding value to their vehicle," ADESA chief operating officer Srisu Subrahmanyam said. "And if no action is taken, buyers reviewing the condition report will have greater confidence in the listing’s accuracy – potentially leading to more bidding activity."