Coimbatore: The Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed a car manufacturing company to pay ₹1.5 lakh as compensation to a customer for failing to properly repair her vehicle under warranty and for the mental agony caused due to the delay.According to official sources, Mizba Thakeem of Karumbukadai in Coimbatore, purchased a car from a dealership at Ramanathapuram on November 9, 2022, for ₹17.87 lakh. At the time of purchase, the dealer assured her that the car was free from mechanical defects and that any issues arising within the warranty period would be rectified free of cost.However, within a year, the car displayed engine-related issues. She promptly handed over the vehicle to the dealer for servicing on September 12, 2023, as it was still under warranty. Despite assurances, the car was not returned for over a week. Upon repeated enquiries, she was told that spare parts needed to be replaced and that the issue would be addressed promptly. But the car remained unattended for an extended period under the pretext of waiting for spare parts.Due to the prolonged delay and lack of resolution, Thakeem retrieved the vehicle without receiving the promised warranty service. She reportedly spent over ₹1.5 lakh on alternative transport arrangements, while the car remained in poor condition.She subsequently filed a petition with the consumer commission.In its order, commission president R Thangavel and member P Marimuthu directed the car manufacturer to pay ₹1.5 lakh as compensation for the financial loss and mental agony caused by the deficiency in service. The company was also ordered to pay ₹5,000 towards the cost of the proceedings.
