Consumer Court To Skoda, Dealer: Refund 16 Lakh To Kushaq Owner

The Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Skoda India and its dealer Gurudev Motors to refund Rs 16.73 lakh with interest to a customer who bought a defective Kushaq SUV. The order also includes Rs 25,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs. The case sets an important example in the automotive sector where defective vehicles and unsatisfactory service responses are involved.

Complaints After Delivery

Customer TS Rajamohan purchased the Kushaq in March 2023. Within just 35 days, several problems emerged. The clutch was unusually hard, causing leg pain during use. The air conditioning malfunctioned. Driving created loud wheel noises, and the power windows operated with excessive sound. Together, these defects affected basic usability and safety, especially the clutch issue that compromised comfort and control.

Rajamohan followed procedure by emailing both Skoda India and Gurudev Motors. The manufacturer redirected the matter to the dealer, which carried out servicing and asked for more time to provide permanent fixes. However, the customer was not informed about what repairs were actually done, raising concerns about transparency.

Service Incidents Worsened Matters

Despite repeated service visits, the defects persisted. A separate incident added to the frustration when a driver sent by the dealer allegedly drove rashly and damaged the car during a service pickup. After the first service, white marks also appeared on the black panel of the SUV. These issues suggested that repairs and handling were careless, and instead of solving problems, the condition of the vehicle deteriorated further.

The dealer admitted that the Kushaq was designed for European conditions and that solutions for some issues were still being developed. This statement implied that the problems were common across multiple vehicles and not just isolated to Rajamohan’s car, raising doubts about the SUV’s suitability for local conditions.

Commission’s Findings

Commission members D Gopinath, Kavitha Kannan, and V Ramamurthy held both Skoda India and Gurudev Motors responsible. They noted that the problems appeared within three months of purchase and during the warranty period. According to the Commission, appropriate remedies should have been provided quickly instead of offering vague explanations about European design differences.

The ruling requires Skoda and its dealer to take back the vehicle and refund the full amount of Rs 16.73 lakh within 30 days. The refund must also include nine percent annual interest calculated from the original purchase date. This recognises the financial burden faced by the customer in owning a defective vehicle while waiting for resolution.

Compensation and Precedent

In addition to the refund, the Commission awarded Rs 25,000 to cover mental agony and losses caused during the long dispute. A further Rs 5,000 was ordered as reimbursement of litigation costs.

While small compared to the price of the SUV, these amounts underline that customers can seek damages beyond a basic refund when defects are ignored or inadequately resolved.

The case shows that consumer courts are increasingly ready to hold manufacturers and dealers accountable. It also highlights the importance of proper service standards and transparent communication when defects appear.

Via TOI