Advanced diagnostic equipment is something that is seen as relatively new by many garages, but one of the pioneers in this field has actually now been delivering diagnostic solution in workshops for 30 years.

Bosch first introduced its KTS 300 diagnostic tester in 1988. It allowed independent workshops to check electronic vehicle systems for the first time. It was named the KTS or "Klein-Tester-Serie”, which is German for "series of small testers”, and the name is still used today although there has been a massive leap in technology form the early KTS to the state of the art testers of today.

Bosch was a true pioneer in control unit diagnostics. Oliver Frei, Regional President Europe at Bosch Automotive Service Solutions says, "We have always aimed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of everyday tasks in workshops, by means of our diagnostic testers and modern software. Diagnostic solutions fit for the future of workshops, that’s what drives us.” He adds, "The 30-year success story of Bosch diagnostic testers will continue, thanks to optimised control unit diagnoses and new generations of KTS testers providing future-oriented hardware solutions.”

When the first KTS was launched, it was able to handle the engine management data of just three different makes of cars. But the number of control units KTS was able to test grew rapidly. By 1999, it allowed control unit diagnoses on some 120 systems from 25 makes and this was also the year that Bosch ESI[tronic] workshop software was introduced. Nowadays, KTS diagnostic testers and ESI[tronic] 2.0 allow workshops to perform control unit diagnoses from more than 90,000 vehicle models of more than 150 different makes.

While the demands placed on technically qualified and efficient diagnostics in automotive workshops grew, Bosch continuously improved its KTS and ESI[tronic] workshop software. Today, KTS modules complement exhaust gas testers and vehicle system testers. They are both either integrated into a trolley housing a PC, screen and printer or available as part of handy tablet computers suitable for mobile use in workshops. Using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or LAN, they can be connected with other testers, with the workshop network or with the Internet. In addition, they also support all common communication protocols used by electronic vehicle systems.

With its latest generation of diagnostic testers, the KTS 560/590, Bosch has once again supported independent multi-brand workshops with service and repair tasks on modern vehicle systems. Under Euro5/6 standards, car manufacturers are obligated to make technical repair information available to independent workshops through online portals. In order to access these online portals, a PassThru interface is needed. Bosch KTS devices have been PassThru-enabled since 2009 and can still be used to access repair data. Current KTS 560/590 testers feature an improved PassThru interface that provides workshops with trouble-free access to data for almost all vehicle manufacturer portals. This allows independent workshops to maintain modern vehicle models and reprogram control units and so need never lose a customer to a dealer workshop.

Using the latest diagnostics tools, the KTS 350/560/590, workshops are also well prepared for the future. The devices already include the new, Ethernet-based Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DoIP) diagnostic interface. It allows much higher data transfer rates, particularly important considering the growing data volumes required by driver assistance systems. More and more vehicle manufacturers also use Ethernet for diagnoses. Basic diagnoses will still be possible via CAN interface, for comprehensive diagnoses or flashing of control units, however, an Ethernet interface as the one included on the latest KTS generation will be required.