Maruti dealer to pay Rs 15K to buyer for late delivery of car

Observing that the dealer failed to deliver Maruti SX4 in time after accepting a full payment of Rs 7,36,529, the district consumer disputes redressal forum held Competent Automobiles guilty of deficient service and unfair trade.

"The delivery of vehicle was given after one and half months, while the opposite party (Competent Automobiles) accepted the total amount of vehicle and failed to deliver the car in time.

"There is deficiency on the part of opposite party. So holding Competent Automobiles guilty of deficiency in service and indulging in unfair trade practices, we direct it to pay Rs 15,000 in toto towards loss of interest, harassment and litigation cost," the bench presided by C K Chaturvedi said.

The New Delhi district forum's order came on the plea of Delhi resident Ram Chander Bansal, who had said he paid the dealer the entire amount of the car, Rs 7,36,529, by cheque on December 30, 2008 but the vehicle was delivered only on February 18, 2009.

Bansal in his complaint to the forum had alleged that not only did the Competent Automobiles deliver his car one and a half months late, they also charged him an additional amount of Rs 6,300 for it.

Competent Automobiles in its defence had cited its terms and conditions of sale, as per which delivery period of the car mentioned in the booking form was only indicative and was subject to production of vehicles by the manufacturer.

It had also said, "it was not responsible for payment of any interest for delay in delivery of vehicle due to any unforeseen circumstances."