Last updated: January 20, 2026
IamCarHacker is built on real-world testing, hands-on experience, and honest evaluation of automotive diagnostic tools.
This page explains how products are tested, how reviews are created, and how affiliate relationships work.
Affiliate Commissions & Transparency
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links.
If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission.
Important points:
- the commission is paid by the seller
- you do not pay more by using my link
- pricing is the same with or without affiliate links
Affiliate partnerships help fund:
- tool purchases
- test vehicles
- garage space
- content creation
More details are available in the Affiliate Disclosure.
How Products Are Tested & Compared
IamCarHacker focuses primarily on:
- OBD-II scanners
- diagnostic tablets
- Bluetooth adapters (ELM327, etc.)
- automotive electrical testing tools
Unlike many comparison sites, reviews here are not created from spec sheets alone.
Hands-On Experience Comes First
Most products reviewed on this website are:
- personally tested by me, or
- tested through trusted industry contacts
However, recommendations are made only after real hands-on experience, either directly by me or through verified testing feedback.
Products are evaluated based on:
- real vehicle behavior
- supported functions in practice (not marketing claims)
- reliability and stability
- usability and limitations
- value for money
Tool Acquisition & Independence
Some products are:
- purchased with my own money
- provided free of charge by manufacturers for testing
Receiving a product for free does not guarantee a positive review.
If a tool performs poorly, is unreliable, or is overpriced, it will not be recommended — even if it has an attractive affiliate program.
Real Vehicles, Real Problems
Testing diagnostic tools requires access to many different vehicles, because:
- functionality varies by brand and model
- software support differs significantly
- no single scanner is best for everything
To achieve this:
- I work on my own vehicles
- I buy older cars specifically for testing
- I borrow vehicles from friends and family
- some vehicles are used for deeper experimental testing
This includes situations where:
- ECUs are removed
- wiring is modified
- systems are tested outside of normal operation
This level of testing is necessary to understand real limitations, not just advertised features.
No “One Best Tool” Mentality
IamCarHacker does not promote a single “best scanner for everyone”.
Different tools excel at:
- different brands
- different functions
- different skill levels
Reviews are written to explain:
- who a tool is for
- who it is not for
- where its limits are
Position on AI-Generated Reviews
AI is becoming widespread in content creation. Many websites and videos now publish reviews generated from:
- product descriptions
- marketing materials
- automated comparisons
Without any real testing.
IamCarHacker does not operate this way.
AI may be used as an assistant to:
- structure articles
- improve clarity
- format technical content
But AI does not replace:
- hands-on testing
- personal experience
- editorial judgment
More details are available in the AI Policy.
Who Is Behind the Reviews
IamCarHacker is founded and operated by Yuri.
I do not have formal automotive training.
I learned diagnostics out of necessity — maintaining older vehicles where:
- poor diagnostics meant wasted money
- wrong repairs caused more damage
- good mechanics were expensive or unavailable
Over time, this turned into systematic testing of diagnostic tools and sharing that experience publicly to help others avoid the same mistakes.
You can read more on the About page.
Final Commitment
The goal of IamCarHacker is simple:
- provide honest, experience-based recommendations
- explain limitations, not just benefits
- build long-term trust, not short-term clicks
If a review exists on this website, it exists because real testing or research happened behind it.
