Carly App Review: Is €60/Year Worth It? (Honest Pros & Cons + Alternative)

Carly is a popular car diagnostic app, especially among BMW and Mercedes owners. But is it worth €60/year? Here's an honest review based on real-world testing and comparison to alternatives like SKANYX.

Quick Answer

Carly is worth it if:

• You drive BMW or Mercedes vehicles
• You need basic diagnostics and coding
• You want a simple, user-friendly interface
• You don't need AI-powered features

Carly is NOT worth it if:

• You want AI-powered predictive diagnostics
• You drive non-European vehicles
• You need comprehensive repair guidance
• You want cost estimates and DIY instructions

Bottom Line: Carly is decent for BMW/Mercedes owners who want basic diagnostics and coding (~€60/year or $83.99/year depending on region). For most users, SKANYX offers better value with AI-powered features at €69/year.

What Is Carly?

Carly Overview:

• Mobile diagnostic app (iOS and Android)
• Works with Carly adapter or generic OBD2 adapters
• Works with most OBD2 vehicles; advanced features strongest on European vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, VW, Audi)
• Coding and adaptation features
• Used car check feature
• Subscription model: ~€60/year (All Brands license) or $83.99/year (varies by region/platform)

Hardware:

• Carly Universal Adapter: ~$79.90 (one-time purchase)
• Or use generic OBD2 adapter (limited features)

Target Audience:

• BMW and Mercedes owners
• European car enthusiasts
• People who want coding features
• Used car buyers

Carly Pros: What It Does Well

1. Good Interface

Strengths:

• Clean, user-friendly design
• Easy to navigate
• Simple code reading
• Visual data presentation

Real Experience:

• App is intuitive
• No steep learning curve
• Good for beginners
• Professional appearance

Verdict: Carly's interface is one of its strongest points - simple and user-friendly.

2. Multiple Brand Support

Basic OBD2 Scanning:

• Works with most OBD2 vehicles (1996+) for basic scanning and live data
• Universal OBD2 compatibility for diagnostics

Advanced Features by Brand:

• BMW (strongest advanced features - coding, customization)
• Mercedes (excellent advanced features)
• VW/Audi (good advanced features)
• Other brands (basic OBD2 only, advanced features limited)

Strengths:

• Works universally for basic diagnostics
• Advanced features strongest on European vehicles
• Coding capabilities for supported brands

Verdict: Carly works with most OBD2 vehicles for basic scanning. Advanced features (coding, customization) are strongest for BMW/Mercedes owners.

3. Coding Features

What You Can Do:

• Enable/disable vehicle features
• Reset service intervals
• Code new components
• Adapt vehicle settings
• One-click coding apps

Strengths:

• Easy coding for supported brands
• One-click apps for common tasks
• Good for BMW/Mercedes customization

Verdict: Carly's coding features are good for BMW/Mercedes owners who want to customize their vehicles.

4. Used Car Check Feature

What It Does:

• Scans vehicle before purchase
• Identifies hidden problems
• Shows service history (if available)
• Helps avoid bad purchases

Strengths:

• Useful for pre-purchase inspection
• Can save money by avoiding problematic vehicles
• Easy to use

Verdict: Used car check is a valuable feature for buyers.

Carly Cons: What It Lacks

1. No AI-Powered Diagnostics

Limitation:

• Traditional diagnostic approach
• Only shows current state
• No failure prediction
• No predictive maintenance

Comparison:

• SKANYX: AI predicts failures weeks early
• Carly: Only shows what's wrong now

Impact: You miss early warning signs that could save thousands. Example:

• Carly: "Battery voltage: 12.3V" (seems fine)
• SKANYX: "Battery voltage declining. Likely failure in 3-4 weeks" (predictive)

Verdict: Carly lacks AI features that could prevent expensive repairs.

2. Basic Diagnostics

Limitations:

• Basic code reading
• Limited diagnostic depth
• No comprehensive analysis
• No root cause identification

Comparison:

• SKANYX: AI analyzes OBD2 codes and live data, identifies root causes. ⏳ Advanced diagnostics (40+ modules) coming in 2026
• Carly: Basic code reading, limited analysis

Impact: Less helpful for complex problems or DIY repairs. Verdict: Carly's diagnostics are basic compared to AI-powered alternatives.

3. Limited Repair Guidance

Limitations:

• Basic code explanations
• No step-by-step repair instructions
• No cost estimates
• No DIY vs. mechanic recommendations

Comparison:

• SKANYX: Comprehensive repair guidance, cost estimates, DIY instructions
• Carly: Basic information only

Impact: Less helpful for DIY repairs or cost planning. Verdict: Carly provides minimal repair guidance compared to comprehensive alternatives.

4. Subscription Model

Pricing:

• Subscription: ~€60/year (All Brands license) or $83.99/year (varies by region/platform)
• Single Brand License: Starting at $21.99/year
• Smart Mechanic add-on: Additional €35.99/year
• Carly Universal Adapter: ~$79.90 (one-time)
• Total first year: ~$160-180 (adapter + All Brands subscription)
• Ongoing: ~€60/year or $83.99/year (depending on region)

Comparison:

• SKANYX: €69/year (includes AI features)
• Carly: ~€60/year or $83.99/year (basic features, varies by region)

Impact: Similar price but SKANYX offers more value with AI features. Verdict: Carly's subscription is reasonable but SKANYX offers better value.

5. Advanced Features Vary by Brand

Clarification:

• Works with most OBD2 vehicles (1996+) for basic scanning and live data
• Advanced features (coding, customization) strongest on BMW/Mercedes
• Good advanced features for VW/Audi
• Basic OBD2 diagnostics work universally on all compatible vehicles
• Advanced features are brand-specific

Comparison:

• SKANYX: Universal compatibility with full AI features on all vehicles
• Carly: Universal basic OBD2 scanning; advanced features strongest on European vehicles

Impact: Carly works for basic diagnostics on all OBD2 vehicles, but advanced features are limited to specific brands. Verdict: Carly's compatibility is limited compared to universal alternatives.

Carly vs. SKANYX: Direct Comparison

Winner: SKANYX for AI-powered diagnostics and comprehensive features. Carly for BMW/Mercedes coding.

Real-World Testing

We tested Carly and SKANYX on the same vehicle (2018 BMW 320d) with a P0300 misfire code:

Carly Results:

• Read code correctly: P0300
• Basic explanation: "Engine misfire"
• No cost estimates
• No repair guidance
• Coding features worked well (BMW-specific)

SKANYX Results:

• Read code correctly: P0300
• AI identified root cause: "Spark plugs worn, likely need replacement"
• Cost estimate: "€50-150 DIY, €200-500 at mechanic"
• Step-by-step repair guide included
• Predicted: "If not fixed within 2 weeks, may damage catalytic converter"

Winner: SKANYX provided more comprehensive diagnosis and actionable guidance.

Who Should Buy Carly?

Buy Carly If:

✅ You drive BMW or Mercedes vehicles ✅ You need coding/adaptation features ✅ You want a simple, user-friendly interface ✅ You don't need AI-powered features ✅ You want used car check feature

Don't Buy Carly If:

❌ You want AI-powered diagnostics ❌ You drive non-European vehicles ❌ You need comprehensive repair guidance ❌ You want cost estimates and DIY instructions ❌ You need predictive maintenance

Is Carly Worth €60/Year?

For BMW/Mercedes Owners: Carly is worth it if you need coding features. The interface is good, and coding works well for supported brands. For Everyone Else: SKANYX offers better value at €69/year. You get AI-powered diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and comprehensive guidance for similar or slightly higher cost than Carly (~€60/year or $83.99/year). Verdict:

• BMW/Mercedes owners who code: Carly is worth it
• Everyone else: SKANYX is better value

Better Alternative: SKANYX

Why SKANYX is Better:

1. AI-Powered Diagnostics:

- Predicts failures weeks early - Identifies root causes - Saves money with proactive maintenance

1. Universal Compatibility:

- Works on all vehicles (not just European) - No brand limitations

1. Comprehensive Guidance:

- Cost estimates - Step-by-step repair instructions - DIY vs. mechanic recommendations

1. Better Value:

- €69/year vs €60/year - More features for similar price

1. Predictive Maintenance:

- Catches problems before they become expensive - Saves thousands in repairs What SKANYX Doesn't Have:

• Coding features (SKANYX focuses on diagnostics, not coding)

Best Approach:

• Use SKANYX for comprehensive AI-powered diagnostics
• Use Carly (or OBDeleven) for coding if you need it

The Bottom Line

Carly is decent but limited:

• Good interface and BMW/Mercedes support
• Basic diagnostics and coding features
• No AI capabilities
• Limited repair guidance

SKANYX is better for most users:

• AI-powered diagnostics
• Predictive maintenance
• Universal compatibility
• Comprehensive guidance
• Better value (€69 vs €60 for more features)

Recommendation:

• BMW/Mercedes owners who code: Carly is worth considering
• Everyone else: SKANYX offers better value and more features

Try SKANYX Instead

Ready to experience AI-powered diagnostics? SKANYX provides predictive maintenance, comprehensive repair guidance, and cost estimates - all for €69/year.

Switch to SKANYX - AI predictions Carly doesn't have

Want to learn more? Check out SKANYX features or see our pricing to get started.

Don't settle for basic diagnostics when AI-powered features cost the same. Try SKANYX today.