Ancel Echo Review | Good Idea, Bad Execution
I tested the Ancel Echo on Toyota Corolla 2022, Renault Kangoo, and Fiat Punto. On paper it looked like a great deal because it offered Pro features without subscription. But after real testing, especially now that the Mucar BT200 Max exists at lower price, there is no practical reason to buy Echo anymore.
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Ancel ECHO
Ancel Echo promised a full-system diagnostic tool with bi-directional tests and no subscription fee. On Toyota Corolla it worked fine and scanned all systems.
Live data worked, bi-directional testing worked, and the tool looked promising.
But on older cars the problems started.
Slow scanning, missing modules, app disconnects, and complete lack of Renault support.
Even basic OBD reading did not work inside the Ancel app on Kangoo. I had to use an external ELM app to connect.
And after reviewing the new Mucar BT200 Max in 2025, there is simply no reason to choose Echo. BT200 Max is cheaper, faster, and supports both ELM apps and its own full-system app that works much better.
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Who tested product & wrote this review?
Tester & Editor for this review: Juraj Lukacko
Hello, I am Juraj (Yuri) and I tested this product to help you decide if it is something you would want to buy, and if yes, show you how to use it.
I make honest reviews based on personal testing in my own garage and If I see the product is bad, I will make it very clear in review.
Read more about how I do reviews on Iamcarhacker.com in my review policy.
What This Tool Actually Is
Ancel Echo is a smartphone-based diagnostic tool meant to give full-system access and bi-directional tests without monthly fees. This was valuable in 2024. But in 2025 the Mucar BT200 Max delivers more features for less money and works with both ELM apps and its own full-system software.
Test Results on Real Cars
I tested it on three real cars.
Cars used
• Toyota Corolla 2022
• Fiat Punto 2004
• Renault Kangoo (around 2006)
Toyota Corolla 2022
An easy car for scanners.
Echo worked fine here.
• scanned all modules
• bi-directional tests worked
• live data worked
• report generation worked
If you only test it on Toyota, you might think Echo is a great device.
Fiat Punto 2004
Problems:
• scan extremely slow
• quick scan took around 10 minutes to find only three modules
• scanner should find at least four modules here
• after finishing the long full scan, I could not enter the modules
• had to run another scan to access them
• when I entered live data, the scanner disconnected
At first I thought the battery died, but the dash lights came back immediately, so battery was fine.
The disconnect came from the Echo app, not the car.
Renault Kangoo
This was the worst part.
Ancel Echo does not support the whole Renault brand.
Not missing a model. Missing the entire brand.
Most tools in this category support around 80+ brands.
Echo supports far fewer.
If a full-system scanner cannot connect to Renault cars at all, that is a serious problem.
Even basic OBD reading did not work in the Ancel app.
I had to switch to a regular ELM app to access engine control module.
Manufacturer Specs vs Real Testing
| Area | Manufacturer Claim | What I Saw in Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Full-system scan | yes | works only on some brands |
| Bi-directional tests | yes | worked on Toyota only |
| Module coverage | wide | very limited on older cars |
| Renault support | listed vaguely | not supported |
| Live data | yes | unstable on Fiat (disconnects) |
| AI mechanic | included | answers only Thinkcar products |
| Subscription | none | confirmed |
Hardware / Software / Plans / Internet Dependency
Hardware quality is fine.
Bluetooth pairing works.
The problems come from the app, not the adapter.
No subscription fee is good, but app stability is weak.
Internet needed for AI feature.
The AI mechanic (called dGBT) appears to be the same engine used in Thinkcar products.
It refuses to answer questions about Ancel but answers only about Thinkcar scanners.
This looks like a reused or licensed module that Ancel did not customize properly.
Supported Service Resets
Based on my testing:
• service procedures work on Toyota
• not available on older vehicles
• Renault not supported
• basic resets depend heavily on the car model
For real multi-brand service work, Echo is not reliable.
Supported Languages
English is okay.
AI feature is confusing because it thinks it is part of Thinkcar.
(they share software so it was not a theft like i originally thought)
Comparison Section
Ancel Echo vs Mucar BT200 Max
This comparison decides everything.
BT200 Max is cheaper and much better.
It also connects to ELM apps, so you do not lose anything.
And its own full-system app works on far more brands with better stability.
| Feature | Ancel Echo | Mucar BT200 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Full-system scan | unreliable | strong |
| Brand coverage | very limited | wide |
| Bi-di tests | works on Toyota | works on many brands |
| App stability | weak | stable |
| ELM app support | yes | yes |
| Price | higher | lower |
| Value | poor | excellent |
There is no reason to buy Echo today.
Ancel Echo vs OBDLink MX+
Different tools.
OBDLink MX+ is engine-only unless you use brand-specific software.
But Echo cannot even maintain stable connections on many cars.
| Feature | Echo | OBDLink MX+ |
|---|---|---|
| Full-system scan | inconsistent | app-dependent |
| Stability | poor | excellent |
| Speed | slow on older cars | very fast |
| App ecosystem | weak | huge |
| Value | low | high for engine tasks |
Ancel Echo vs Carista
Carista is mainly for coding and simple service resets.
Echo tries to offer more, but stability is the issue.
| Feature | Echo | Carista |
|---|---|---|
| Full-system scan | weak | limited |
| Coding | no | yes |
| App stability | poor | good |
| Supported brands | few | depends on subscription |
Carista is safer if you need coding.
Echo has no real advantage.
Final Verdict
Ancel Echo looked great on paper, but it failed on two out of three test cars.
Slow scans, limited brand support, disconnects, and unstable app performance make it hard to recommend.
Today the Mucar BT200 Max is cheaper and far more capable.
It also connects to ELM apps, so it replaces Echo completely.
If you want real full-system diagnostics through your phone, skip Echo.
Use BT200 Max or a proper multi-brand tool.
How to save money
BT200 Max is usually cheapest on the official Mucar website.
ELM apps work without extra cost.
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