A consumer court has directed auto manufacturer Skoda Auto to replace a defective model with a new one or pay Rs 11.13 lakh as refund to the owner. “Since manufacturer failed to rectify the defect, we direct Skoda Auto to replace the car with a new one of the similar model or in alternative refund the purchase price,” Delhi district Consumer Forum President J P Sharma said.
Virender Kumar Jain, a west Delhi resident who had bought a Skoda Octavia car in October 2005, noted certain defects in the engine of the vehicle within four months. Following his frequent visits to the service station, the company changed the engine of the car twice but allegedly failed to rectify the root problem, Jain said in his complaint before the forum.
The service centre, M/S Silver Tone Motors Pvt Ltd, claimed the problems in the car originated due to non-genuine parts installed in the vehicle by the owner. However the court disclaimed the theory due to lack of proof and has directed Skoda to replace the car or pay the purchase price within a month’s time.