Method and system for retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle

An off-board system for establishing a communication link with a vehicle's diagnostic system, comprising:

• means for inputting information regarding the vehicle, the information including a vehicle type for identifying a preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type;
• means for processing configured to process information from the vehicle's diagnostic system and to receive the information from the means for inputting information, to compare the information from the means for inputting information to an exception list, to determine whether the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and if the vehicle type is on the exception list, to identify the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type before establishing a communication link with the vehicle's diagnostic system;
• means for communicating configured to communicate in a communication protocol with the vehicle's diagnostic system, wherein the communication protocol is the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type if the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, the means for communicating communicates in a preferred communication protocol that was predetermined to work and associated with the vehicle type, and to communicate with the means for processing means for storing in communication with the means for processing;
• and
• means for displaying information and is in communication with the means for processing.