Method and apparatus for remote diagnostics of automobiles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include the steps of reading, by a mobile device, a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a vehicle, transmitting, by the mobile device, the VIN to a diagnostic database, receiving, by the mobile device, an indication that an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic tool is required for a diagnosis of the vehicle, and selecting the OEM diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of the vehicle in response to the indication that an OEM diagnostic tool is required for the diagnosis of the vehicle.