A system and method for providing diagnostic assistance to a driver of a vehicle when calling a call center following a diagnostic warning being displayed on the vehicle instrument panel. Upon establishing the call, indicator data representative of the warning is automatically sent to the call center where it is used to select one or more diagnostic tests targeted to particular vehicle systems associated with the warning. The test is carried out at the vehicle and the resulting diagnostic data sent back to the call center. The call is then switched to an advisor at the call center and the received diagnostic data is used to aid the advisor in providing the diagnostic assistance to the driver.