The state consumer disputes redressal commission, Chandigarh, has directed Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited, Andheri, to refund over ₹8 lakh to a Panchkula resident for selling him a defective car.
It also directed the company and its dealer in Chandigarh, Lally Motors (I) Private Limited, to pay ₹75,000 as compensation to the complainant, Anuj Gupta, a resident of Sector 9, Panchkula, for causing mental agony.
Gupta alleged that there was a manufacturing defect in the Volkswagen Vento car which he had bought in September 2015. He said that after two months, the car started giving problems with regard to brakes, engine, software and gear shifting. It was sent for servicing nine times between December 2016 and August 2018, he said.
He said that the company’s technical team recommended that the mechatronics of the car be replaced. But, in February 2019, the car broke down while he was travelling to Solan and he had to pay over ₹2 lakh on repairs. The vehicle has been parked with Lally Motors in Industrial Area, Chandigarh, for over 300 days. Alleging that this acts as deficiency in rendering service, Gupta has sought replacement of the vehicle or refund of its cost.
Lally Motors (I) in its reply stated, “As and when the vehicle was brought to us, it was repaired to the satisfaction of the complainant. The vehicle remained with us for 173 days as Gupta is not ready to bear the cost of repair and on his own left the vehicle in the workshop.”
Denying the allegations, the manufacturer of the car stated that its responsibility is limited to repairs and replacement of parts in the car purchased under warranty. “After being satisfied with the specification and features, he had purchased the car at his own volition. Also, whenever it was taken to the dealer Swami Automotive Private Limited for necessary repairs., it was attended to properly,” it added.
The commission directed manufacturing company to refund the amount of ₹8,91,675 (cost of the vehicle – 25% depreciation cost) along with interest @9% per annum from September 2015 onwards within a period of 30 days.
Also, both the parties were directed to pay compensation to the tune of ₹50,000 to the complainant for causing him mental agony and harassment and also deficiency in providing service and also to pay cost of litigation to the tune of ₹25,000 within a period of 30 days.
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Keyword: Volkswagen lands in soup for selling defective car to Panchkula man