About car diagnostics apps

Apparently, Engie, the Israeli startup that offers a car diagnostics device and app is launched in the U.K. Its Bluetooth device plugs into your car’s on-board computer and via the accompanying Engie app tells you what might be wrong with your vehicle, or what repairs might be required in the near future and gets in touch with the market of mechanics getting quotes for possible repairs to match you with one of them and get a commission in the process.

There was a very similar startup at Startup Istanbul earlier in January, which was a finalist (!) I believe and I am still amazed how could this idea be thought to have real merit.

If a car already has internal diagnostics enabling digitally to report a fault, then it would. If a car's engine or mechanics are not managed digitally an can not already detect and report faults, how an external gadget could make this possible?

The only way I see these gadgets being useful is if the fault signs on the car's screen are not enough to identify the exact fault or not fit for some tastes and the information is already there and this device is to use that data to improve diagnostics and presentation, then maybe some people will pay for it. Otherwise I am failing to see the point here since it seems like the only value added is the part where it gets in touch with the after market of mechanics and gets you quotes for a (6%) commission. I am sure you can do that for free if you google it and go to review sites instead of relying on an app to do that for you.

Now there lies the real value.