Innova 5110 Review: OBD2 Scanner for Engine/ABS Codes

Last Updated on May 29, 2025

Taking care of a vehicle can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when unexpected warning lights pop up on your dashboard. I’m someone who genuinely enjoys maintaining my car but prefers not to rush to the mechanic for every little issue. That’s what led me to search for a simple, effective, and budget-friendly OBD2 scanner. After a lot of comparisons and reading tons of user reviews, I landed on the Innova 5110.
Now that I’ve used it multiple times on my own car — and even helped a few friends diagnose their vehicles — I feel ready to give you a complete, honest Innova 5110 review. Whether you’re a DIYer like me or just someone looking for a reliable scanner without the high-end price tag, I hope my real-world experience will help you decide if this is the right tool for you.

Why I Decided to Buy the Innova 5110 scanner?

When it comes to OBD2 scanners, the market is flooded with choices — from super basic readers to ultra-advanced, professional-grade tools. Initially, I wasn’t sure what exactly I needed. But after thinking about it, my priorities became clear:

• I wanted a scanner that was user-friendly, not overly technical.
• It needed to cover basic functions: reading and clearing codes, viewing live data, and checking emissions readiness.
• It had to be from a trustworthy brand.
• And finally, it needed to be affordable — I wasn’t looking to spend hundreds of dollars.

Innova is a name that kept popping up in recommendations, and when I saw the Innova 5110 with its reasonable price and promising features, it felt like a perfect match.

First Impressions and Setup

The unboxing experience itself gave me a good vibe about the product. Right out of the box, the Innova 5110 felt solid and well-built. It wasn’t bulky, nor did it feel cheap or flimsy. The rubberized sides added a nice touch for grip, and the button layout was intuitive even for someone who isn’t tech-savvy.

Setting it up was ridiculously easy. I simply plugged it into the OBD2 port located under my car’s dashboard. It immediately powered on without needing batteries — it draws power directly from the car. Within moments, it was ready to scan.

No confusing menus, no complicated apps needed to get started. Just pure, simple functionality. For someone like me who values straightforward tools, this was a huge plus.

Innova 5110 Review 2025: Real-World Usage & Test

The Innova 5110 is a straightforward, plug-and-play OBD2 scanner designed for everyday drivers who want to diagnose check engine lights with ease. In this Innova 5110 review, I tested it on multiple vehicles to see how it performs in real-world conditions. From setup to scanning speed, here’s what you can expect from the Innova 5110.

The real test came just a week after buying the scanner when my dreaded Check Engine Light appeared.

1. Reading Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

I connected the Innova 5110 to my car and within seconds, it had pulled the trouble code. Not only did it show the code (P0135 in my case), but it also gave a brief description: “Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1).”

This small feature — showing the description — saved me a lot of time that I would have otherwise spent Googling the code. It helped me quickly understand what needed attention.

2. Clearing Codes After Repairs

After replacing the faulty sensor myself (a simple DIY job once you know the problem), I used the scanner to clear the Check Engine Light. It worked flawlessly. The light was gone, and I didn’t have to pay the dealership $100+ just to reset it.

3. Checking Emissions Readiness

One of the key reasons I wanted an OBD2 scanner was to check emissions readiness before my yearly vehicle inspection. The Innova 5110 has an easy-to-understand emissions test function that showed me immediately which monitors were complete and whether my car was ready for inspection.

Thankfully, after fixing the sensor, everything passed, and I went into my inspection feeling confident.

4. Viewing Live Data

Although the Innova 5110 isn’t a super-advanced scanner, it can display basic live data like:

• Engine RPM
• Coolant temperature
• Fuel system status
• Short and long-term fuel trims

This helped me monitor my engine’s performance in real time. It’s not a full diagnostic tool, but for spotting obvious issues (like misfires or abnormal temperatures), it does the job well.

Key Features That I Personally Loved

Here’s a deeper look into the features that stood out during my experience with the Innova 5110:

➔ Easy to Use

From plugging it in to navigating the menu, everything about this tool is designed to be user-friendly. I never once needed to crack open the manual. Even someone with no prior experience using scan tools could easily get started.

➔ Quick Diagnostics

The scanner boots up fast and retrieves codes in under a minute. For anyone in a hurry, that’s a huge benefit. I don’t like wasting time fumbling with devices when my focus should be on the vehicle.

➔ Code Descriptions

Unlike some cheaper readers that only show you the code number, the Innova 5110 gives you a short explanation right on the screen. It removes the guesswork and makes you feel a lot more confident about what’s wrong.

➔ Emissions Testing

This feature alone probably saved me from a failed inspection. Knowing ahead of time that your vehicle is ready — or not — can prevent a lot of hassle and even extra fees.

➔ Live Data Monitoring

While it’s not comprehensive like a $500 scanner, seeing live engine data was a bonus. Especially after a repair, it’s reassuring to confirm that everything is operating normally.

➔ Portable and Sturdy

The device is small enough to fit into my glove compartment, yet durable enough that I don’t worry about tossing it around a little.

Minor Drawbacks I Noticed

As much as I like the Innova 5110, it’s only fair to mention a few limitations:

➔ No ABS or SRS Diagnostics

If you want to diagnose ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or SRS (Supplemental Restraint System – airbags) issues, this scanner won’t cover you. You’d need a more advanced model like the Innova 5310 or 5610.

➔ Small Display

While the display is bright and readable, it is somewhat small. Viewing live data streams with multiple parameters at once can feel cramped.

➔ Basic App Integration

Innova does have a companion app (RepairSolutions2) for more detailed diagnostics and repair suggestions, but honestly, I didn’t find it very necessary for basic code reading and clearing. Some users might expect more from app features though.

Comparing the Innova 5110 to Other Scanners I Considered

Before settling on the 5110, I compared it with a few other models:

• BlueDriver: Excellent app-based tool, but at almost twice the price of the 5110, it felt like overkill for my needs.
• Autel AL319: Great budget scanner but doesn’t show code descriptions — only codes.
• ANCEL AD310: Very affordable but lacks live data and emissions readiness check.

At the end of the day, the Innova 5110 hit the sweet spot between features, ease of use, and cost for a casual DIY car owner like me.

Who Is the Innova 5110 Best For?

After months of real use, I can confidently say the Innova 5110 is ideal for:

• DIY car owners who want to avoid unnecessary mechanic fees
• Beginners looking for a no-fuss, no-confusion scanner
• Anyone needing a reliable Check Engine Light reader
• People prepping for vehicle inspections

However, if you’re a professional mechanic or someone who regularly deals with ABS/SRS issues or needs bi-directional controls, you’ll want to invest in a more advanced tool.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Innova 5110

Here are a few tips from my experience:

• Keep it in your car: You never know when a warning light will appear.
• Learn basic DTC meanings: While the scanner shows descriptions, understanding basics like “Oxygen Sensor” or “EVAP System” issues can help you decide how urgent the repair is.
• Pair with free resources: If you need more info about a code, forums like OBD-Codes.com are very helpful.
• Don’t ignore “Pending Codes”: Sometimes a minor issue will show up as pending before it triggers a Check Engine Light. Pay attention to those warnings early.

Final Verdict: Is the Innova 5110 Worth It?

In one word: YES.

For under $100, the Innova 5110 has become one of my favorite automotive tools. It’s straightforward, reliable, and gets the job done without requiring an engineering degree to understand. It makes it possible to catch small problems before they become expensive repairs, giving you peace of mind whenever you see a dashboard warning light.

Of course, it’s not the most advanced scanner out there — but it’s not pretending to be. It knows exactly what it is: a solid, basic OBD2 scanner that’s perfect for regular car owners who want simple and accurate diagnostics.

I hope my personal Innova 5110 review gives you a clearer picture of what to expect. From my experience, it’s been worth every penny — and has already paid for itself in avoided mechanic fees.

FAQs: Innova 5110 Review

Q1: Can the Innova 5110 turn off my Check Engine Light?

Yes, after you fix the underlying problem, you can use the 5110 to clear the codes and turn off the Check Engine Light.

Q2: Does the Innova 5110 need batteries?

No, it powers up automatically through the car’s OBD2 port. No batteries or external power are needed.

Q3: Can it diagnose ABS or Airbag (SRS) problems?

No, the Innova 5110 only reads engine-related codes. If you need ABS/SRS diagnostics, consider a higher-end model like the Innova 5310 or 5610.

Q4: Is the screen readable outdoors?

Yes, the screen is backlit and remains fairly readable even in bright sunlight.

Q5: Will it work on my car?

If your car is 1996 or newer and has an OBD2 port (which most cars do), the Innova 5110 should work perfectly.

Still have questions after reading this Innova 5110 reviews article? Comment below.