All OBDII systems on any car are the same...to a point. They have to be by law. Getting a $50 scanner from autozone is better then nothing, but most codes can be caused by MANY things. Especially if its a VW.

Example

Your check engine light comes on, your car is running like shit, you scan it, you get a code saying your mass air flow sensor is faulty. You go to autozone, buy a MAF put it on....and.....the car still runs like shit. what do you do, WHAT DO YOU DO HOT SHOT.lol

You buy a chilton or hanes manual, a digital multi meter and to a little back probing to find out you have a broken wire that could have been fixed for 35 cents, or a internal short in the ecm that could cost you over a grand.

OBD systems on cars are great but there is far more to it then scanning it and throwing a part on. So my suggestion is get a scanner, fluke digital multimeter, and a repair manual...an expensive thick one.

With the right information and tools you can do anything. Good Luck and find a forum more dedicated to your brand of car so that you can have access to information from people in the industry and know alot about your car.