Electronics

For many drivers, yes: footage helps settle accident and insurance disputes and records hit-and-runs and parking incidents. A front-and-rear camera with parking mode gives the most coverage.

Dash cam video is commonly used by insurers and can be submitted as evidence, subject to the court's rules. Recording audio may require everyone's consent in some US states, so check your state's law if your camera records sound.

Cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996 use the OBD-II port, so any OBD2 scanner reads standard engine codes. Reading airbag, ABS or manufacturer-specific systems, or running bi-directional tests, needs a more advanced scanner.