Order Date: 28th February 2025
Order Name: Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd vs Anuj Gupta and Anr.
Case No.: FIRST APPEAL NO. NC/FA/258/2022
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in New Delhi, led by Mr. Subhash Chandra and AVM J. Rajendra, has clarified that simply having a vehicle repaired frequently or taking it to a workshop often does not automatically mean the car has a manufacturing defect.
Case Background:
Anuj Gupta bought a Volkswagen Vento Highline for Rs. 11,88,900 from Swami Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. He regularly took the car to the Volkswagen workshop in Chandigarh for issues, which led him to believe the car had manufacturing defects. Dissatisfied, Gupta filed a consumer complaint against Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. and Volkswagen Chandigarh. The State Commission initially sided with Gupta, ordering a refund and compensation. Skoda, however, appealed this decision at the NCDRC.
Skoda’s Argument:
Skoda contended that the car’s issues arose from normal wear and tear, especially since it had been driven extensively. They maintained all repairs were within warranty terms and argued that a manufacturing defect would have made the car undrivable. Furthermore, Skoda emphasized its separate business relationship with Volkswagen Chandigarh, implying they shouldn’t be held accountable for any service deficiencies at the workshop.
NCDRC’s Findings:
The NCDRC observed Gupta’s car had been used for three years and covered over 1,60,000 kilometers, indicating heavy usage rather than a manufacturing defect. The Commission stated that warranty coverage only allows for defective parts to be replaced, not the entire vehicle. The NCDRC also highlighted that determining a manufacturing defect requires rigorous testing, which wasn’t feasible since the vehicle had been dismantled and inactive for two years. The engineering report provided was inconclusive, merely suggesting a potential defect.
In conclusion, the NCDRC found that there was insufficient evidence to support Gupta’s claim of a manufacturing defect. The original decision by the State Commission was deemed flawed, leading the NCDRC to overturn it in favor of Skoda.
Takeaway:
For consumers, this ruling underscores the importance of substantial evidence when claiming a manufacturing defect in a vehicle. Frequent repairs alone aren’t enough; proper technical analysis is crucial to establish such claims.
