Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010954720300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Firm asked to refund price of car

K.C. Gopakumar

Car sold without revealing that it was involved in several accidents

Kochi: The Ernakulam Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Indus Motor Company, Aluva, to refund a person the price of a defective second-hand Maruti car he bought from the firm.

The forum headed by its president A. Rajesh passed the order on a complaint filed by G. Suresh of Ambalamugal. According to the complainant, he bought the Maruti Zen car from the dealer on the assurance given through an advertisement that the second hand cars sold by it were not involved in any accident and that they were true value cars. He had paid Rs.1.4 lakh for the car.

Immediately after the purchase, the car developed serious problems. It was later found the car was involved in a major accident and that the same fact was concealed by the dealer. The insurance details of the car had showed that the vehicle was involved in many accidents prior to the sale. The previous owner was none other than the general manger of the firm. The complainant had to spend Rs.25,000 to fix the problems.

The opposite party contended that the complainant had purchased the car after checking and proper inspection. Even if the vehicle was involved in any accident prior to the purchase, it could not be raised subsequently. The Forum observed that the insurance details of the vehicle showed that it had met with many accidents.