Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the collection of vehicle operating data in a motor vehicle diagnosis or analysis system. One or more motor vehicle operating or drive symptoms are utilized to access a database which identifies the most appropriate cause parameters for the drive symptom or symptoms. The database correlates entered operating or drive symptoms with system problems and, more particularly, with specific system parameters which can be monitored by connection to corresponding vehicle operating data access points. The drive symptom diagnostic method and apparatus thus identify appropriate data access points to monitor, such as conductors or pins of a connector associated with an identified motor vehicle which is experiencing problems. Once the appropriate access points are identified, pertinent vehicle operating data is collected from these data access points either when the vehicle is being serviced, as at a dealership or service garage, or when the vehicle is being driven.