Key facts
- MG Motor India ordered to refund Rs 18,23,228 for an MG ZS Astor SUV.
- The company must also pay Rs 4 lakh in compensation and litigation costs.
- The vehicle owner alleged defects in the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Electronic Steering Column Lock.
- An accident occurred in Uttarakhand allegedly due to steering failure.
- The consumer commission found MG Motor liable for failing to address defects and honor warranty commitments.
- The vehicle has been at the Dehradun workshop since June 2023 and will remain with MG Motor.
A Delhi consumer court has mandated MG Motor India to refund the full purchase price of an MG ZS Astor SUV, amounting to Rs 18,23,228, along with Rs 4 lakh in compensation and litigation costs. The decision stems from a complaint filed by a Delhi resident who alleged persistent defects in the vehicle, including issues with the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL).
The owner claimed that despite the vehicle being under warranty, he was charged for TPMS replacements. The dispute intensified in June 2023 during a trip to Uttarakhand when the vehicle reportedly displayed an ESCL fault warning. While en route to a service center in Dehradun, the owner alleged that the steering jammed, resulting in an accident.
MG Motor denied responsibility, arguing that the owner had not permitted a thorough inspection and disputing the existence of manufacturing defects. The dealership, MG Motor Gitansh Motors, stated that any manufacturing defect would be the manufacturer's responsibility.
However, the consumer commission was unconvinced by MG Motor's defense. The commission noted that the company's workshop sought permission only for insurance-related repairs, not a detailed inspection. It concluded that mechanical and electronic failures, such as those with the TPMS and ESCL, could not be attributed to the driver's actions. The commission found that MG Motor failed to address the vehicle's defects and did not uphold its warranty and roadside assistance commitments, thereby concluding that the vehicle suffered from manufacturing defects.
The court ordered MG Motor India to refund the vehicle's purchase price with 7% annual interest from the complaint filing date, and pay Rs 4 lakh within four weeks. Failure to comply will result in 9% annual interest. The SUV, which has been at the Dehradun workshop since June 2023, will remain with MG Motor, which can dispose of it as it sees fit. The owner is to assist with the vehicle's registration transfer or cancellation. The dealership was absolved of liability.