Skoda Auto India has landed in trouble as the Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the brand to refund a sum of Rs 16.73 lakh to the customer. The order has been passed over a complaint by the customer for delivering a faulty car and service negligence by Skoda and the dealer.
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According to reports, TS Rajamohan bought a Skoda Kushaq in March 2023. Just about three months after the purchase, Rajamohan started observing defects in the SUV. He noted problems like- AC malfunction, noises from the wheel while driving, power window defect, clutch issue, and more.
Following this, TS Rajamohan took the matter to Skoda India and dealer Gurudev Motors. After reporting the matter, Skoda directed the customer to reach out to its dealer for servicing. Reports claim that the Skoda Kushaq went for servicing; however, the owner reported that the defects persist. Also, when asked about the repair and service details, Rajamohan was denied the information.
Rajamohan also reported that one of the drivers sent by the dealership for pickup drove the car rashly, leading to several marks on the black panel. This incident further added to the customer's frustration, and he headed to the consumer court.
The court observed that the Skoda Kushaq began showing issues within three months of purchase, despite being under warranty. Commission members D Gopinath, Kavitha Kannan, and V Ramamurthy ordered Skoda and Gurudev Motors to refund Rs 16.73 lakh within 30 days to TS Rajamohan, citing their failure to offer a timely resolution. Additionally, they must pay 9 percent annual interest from the date of purchase, acknowledging the financial strain the customer endured while dealing with a faulty car.