Upholding an order passed by the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) directed Maruti Suzuki India, to pay the complainants a sum amounting to more than ₹3 lakh for delivering a vehicle with inherent “defects” in it. It directed that the amount be paid along with an interest of 9% from December 2002 till the date of realisation.
The complainants had alleged that the vehicle bought by them started malfunctioning soon after purchase. Further, it was alleged that after the complainants contacted the dealers, they were told that the defect was a “trivial” one and that it could be rectified.
“However, the defects in the vehicle could not be removed despite several visits to the workshop of the dealer, although they made efforts to remove such defects” read the complaint in the order.
Earlier the District Forum had held, “Within a few days of the purchase of a brand new car, the complainants were forced to leave the car at the service station as they failed to carry out the necessary repairs in the car, and since then, the car was lying at that place.” It was after the State Commission upheld that it was deficiency on the part of the automobile manufacturer, that Maruti filed a revision petition with the national forum.
