I was not referring to RT Data collection. Been there done that.
I did 18 years selling parts and 12 turning wrenches for a living, mostly on high end stuff. Jag/Rolls/MB/Porsche/Ferrari/Lambo’s as well as Domestic.
They ALL breakdown it's just a matter of what and when. It could sell for $500,000 or $ 50.00. It's still mechanical/fuel and electrical.
Been there, done that.
Good thing is, I don’t get greasy anymore. I read codes and map ECMs from my desk right here at work.
It bothers me sometimes that dealers, big three and import along with independent shops, rely on outside vendors for diagnostics more and more.
It used to be only custom shops that would have us map LS crate engines for custom install in older vehicles but now dealers are using outside vendors like us for daily diagnostics.
To an experienced tech with an idea what the issue may be using a basic code reader at a parts house may be all that is needed. But to someone without knowledge and experience to be coached to parts shotgun on their important daily driver IMHO not the way to go. Reputable repair facilities would never spend big money on Modus, VAG-COM, Alldata and the like if they could divine severe drivability issues with a parts house code reader.