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I have a 2004 Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi and need to source a fault code reader.

Pretty much everything within my budget on the usual marketting sites say that the unit is compatible with most cars from 1996 onwards but, when looking deeper into things, Japanese cars are covered from 2011 onwards.

Has anyone got any experience of a reader that works on older Japanese cars?

Thanks.

Should be an OBD2 compatible car. Do you want to read and clear the code? Or do you want to check real time data?

I have a couple. Some car makers have specialised versions, which is why I have a couple  ;D

Just want to read and clear codes.

We have looked at dozens of reaers but they all tend to say post 2008 or 2011 Japanese cars which rules them out.

Try the TOPDON AL400 on amazon. Reduced to £27.99 at the moment. I've got one and it's pretty good.

If you've got a smartphone I've used thistype of OBD2 adapter for years;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196890603362?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fqdqmlrvqga&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=a2lO6iVrTN2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

It's Bluetooth, connects to phone/tablet/laptop, and you can use an android app like Torque (paid for) or Car Scanner (free) to talk to it, others are available for different platforms but I use android. Will do most of what you would like to I imagine, but sometimes things like airbag and security systems are behind another layer of protection and need some more specialised equipment.

I bought a fancy one a few years back which did everything, but then I left it in the car on a hot day and the screen karked it, so just something to bear in mind.

I got a cheap shit one that worked for me.

But the issue here is it seems your car might not be OBD2.

Edit: seems to be OBD2

https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/199269-obd2-not-working/

If you get a Bluetooth one you can just leave it in the OBD port. Just remember to take it out when you sell or trade in the car  ::)