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just showing my ignorance here but i was wondering if VAG-COM could be used with alternative software to scan Non VW-Audi group cars since all cars have OBD11 compatible engine diagnostics.

Theres a generic OBD11 part to VAG-COM. Never used it though

so from that one would assume it was possible then? has anyone tried it with other makes?

i was wondering if VAG-COM could be used with alternative software to scan Non VW-Audi group cars

VAG-COM *is* software. Whatever interface lead you have (whether it's ours or some 3rd party on) is not VAG-COM.

Current versions of VAG-COM support pretty comprehensive generic OBD-II functions on cars that are use a physical layer for OBD-II that's compatible with the lead. Note however that there are 4 different allowable physical layers, and that VW only uses two of them.

For more info, see:
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/tour/obd-2.html

-Uwe-

works on new range rovers!

sorry, i wasn't very clear with my original post, i meant could i use the Ross-Tech interface with alternative software (or Vag-Com software) to scan non VW-Audi cars. from the answers above it would seem that you can depending on the type of car

Yes -- depending on the car. For example you can forget about most US-model Ford and GM products. Those use the two flavors of SAE J1850 as the physical layer for OBD-II.

It might help if you'd tell us what kinds of cars you're looking at.

Remember also that while OBD-II has been mandatory in the US since 1996, it's only been mandatory in Europe since 2001 (Petrol) and 2004 (Diesel).

-Uwe-

Thanks for that Uwe. i'm not looking at anything in particular, i was just curious after realising OBD-II was common amongst cars.