Second-hand luxury car not returned after repairs, dealer ordered to pay Rs 3.89 lakh

A man who purchased a used luxury vehicle from a car dealer has been ordered to repay Rs 3.89 lakh following a complaint filed with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kangra. The dealer accepted the full payment for the car, claimed to be repairing it, and then never returned either the automobile or the money.

The commission's bench of President Hemanshu Mishra and Members Arti Sood and Narayan Thakur also awarded the dealer Rs 30,000 in compensation for mental anguish and Rs 7,500 for legal expenses. According to the commission, transferring the vehicle and the entire payment to the dealer under the guise of repairs and then not delivering the car or returning the money constitutes a severe breach of service and an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The dealer had taken possession of the vehicle, promising to repair it and return it in good working order, but failed to do so. The complainant had made three installments totaling Rs 3.52 lakh, and despite the full payment, the vehicle exhibited significant mechanical problems upon delivery. The dealer did not appear in court, and the commission proceeded against the party ex parte.

Consumers can seek assistance by contacting their state's consumer helpline or the National Consumer Helpline at 1915.