AI-assisted car diagnostics for Android
Describe a symptom, record a noise, or photograph a warning light. Car Doctor suggests likely causes, reads live data from your engine with a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter, and compares a repair estimate with typical price ranges.
Free to downloadupdate if you charge or offer in-app purchases. Requires Android 8.0 or later. Live engine data needs a separately sold ELM327-compatible Bluetooth OBD-II adapter and a vehicle with an OBD-II port (most cars sold in the US from 1996, the EU from 2001 petrol / 2004 diesel).
P0301
Cylinder 1 misfire detected. Common causes: worn spark plug, faulty ignition coil, leaking injector.
Features
Each tool works on its own. Use the ones that fit your car and the problem in front of you.
Tell the app what you notice and add evidence you capture yourself.
A chat assistant that walks you through troubleshooting for your car's year, make and model. Answers can be read aloud so you can keep your hands on the job while parked.
Pair an ELM327-compatible Bluetooth adapter to see RPM, speed, coolant temperature, throttle position, fuel trim and battery voltage.
Photograph a written estimate from a repair shop. Car Doctor reads the line items and shows how labour hours, labour rate and parts prices compare with typical ranges, so you know which questions to ask.
Save several vehicles, keep a service history for each, and check a VIN for open safety recallsname your recall data source, e.g. NHTSA.
If you break down, one tap prepares a message with your GPS coordinates that you can send to a contact or roadside assistance provider you choose. Location is read only when you use this feature.
Getting started
Enter the year, make and model, or scan the VIN. No account is needed to startconfirm.
Describe the problem, record a sound, take a photo, or connect your OBD-II adapter to read codes.
Review likely causes and cost ranges, then fix it yourself or take the report to a mechanic.
Read before you rely on it
Car Doctor gives information to help you make decisions. It does not replace an inspection by a qualified mechanic.
Set up the adapter, record sounds and read results only when the vehicle is parked safely, or ask a passenger to do it.
Sharing your location does not contact police, ambulance or fire services. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (911, 112, 999 or equivalent) first.
Causes are generated by an AI model from the information you provide. They are likely explanations, not a confirmed diagnosis. Brakes, steering, airbags and fuel leaks should always be checked by a professional.
Cost ranges are general guides. Real prices depend on your region, the shop, part brand and the condition of the vehicle. A shop charging more is not necessarily doing anything wrong.
Clearing codes turns off the warning light and resets emissions readiness monitors, which can cause an inspection to fail until the car has been driven enough to re-run them.
Some vehicles, hybrids, EVs and low-cost adapter clones report fewer values or none. Car Doctor is not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer.
Permissions
Android asks you before the app can use any of these. Each one is requested only when you open the feature that needs it, and you can turn it off at any time in Android Settings > Apps > Car Doctor > Permissions.
| Permission | Used for | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Nearby devicesBLUETOOTH_SCAN, BLUETOOTH_CONNECT | Finding and connecting to your OBD-II adapter | Only while the Live OBD-II screen is open |
| MicrophoneRECORD_AUDIO | Recording a vehicle noise you want analysed, and voice questions to Ask Doc | Only while you hold the record button |
| CameraCAMERA | Photos and videos of parts, leaks, warning lights and repair estimates | Only when you choose to take a photo or video |
| Photos and videosAndroid photo picker | Attaching existing images or videos | Only the items you pick |
| Precise locationACCESS_FINE_LOCATION | Adding your coordinates to a breakdown message | Only when you tap Share my location. Never in the background |
| NotificationsPOST_NOTIFICATIONS | Service reminders you set | Optional |
Questions
Any Bluetooth adapter based on the ELM327 command set, version 1.5 or later. Adapters are sold separately by third parties and Car Doctor does not sell or endorse a specific brand.
Describe your real pricing. Any paid features are bought through Google Play, and the price is shown before you confirm. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time in the Google Play app under Payments & subscriptions.
Yes, when you ask for an analysis. The recording, image or text you submit is sent over an encrypted connection to our servers and our AI service provider to produce the result. See the privacy policy below for how long it is kept.
No app can do that with certainty. Car Doctor narrows down the likely causes so you can check the cheapest and most likely ones first, or have a better-informed conversation with your mechanic.
Privacy policy
This policy explains what information the Car Doctor Android app ("the app") collects, how it is used and shared, and the choices you have. The app is published by Ghostspectredev ("we", "us").
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your recordings, photos or location for advertising.
All data is sent over encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS). Submitted recordings and images are deleted from our servers within 30 days after the analysis is complete. Vehicles and service history are kept until you delete them or delete your account.
The app is intended for drivers and vehicle owners and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
If we change this policy we will update the date above and, for material changes, notify you in the app.
Account and data deletion
You can delete your account and data at any time, with or without the app installed.
Email support@cardoctor.africa from the address linked to your account with the subject "Delete my account". We will confirm by email and complete deletion within 30 days.
Your account, vehicles, service history, saved analyses, recordings, photos and estimate images. Crash reports that cannot be linked to you may be kept for up to 90 days. Records we must keep by law, such as purchase receipts, are kept only for the period required.
Support
Questions, bug reports and privacy requests:
support@cardoctor.africa