Abstract: An apparatus for transferring data from a motor vehicle to a remote data processing system includes a first plug-in device for insertable into an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of the vehicle and a second plug-in device insertable into a power socket of the vehicle. The first plug-in device receives power from and collects diagnostic data from the OBD port and transmits the data via a short-range communications link. The second plug-in device receives power from the power socket, receives the diagnostic data transmitted by the first plug-in device, and re-transmits the diagnostic data along with a geographic location of the vehicle to a remote data processing system. The apparatus provides a simple and cost-effective device that can be fitted to the current vehicle stock in order to enable the rapid introduction of intelligent vehicle monitoring systems.