NEW DELHI: A district consumer commission in Kerala has directed an authorised Maruti Suzuki dealer to replace a Rs 25.21 lakh Invicto car after a buyer alleged that its bonnet, left door and upper portion had been repainted before delivery without his knowledge. Alternatively, the dealer must pay Rs 2 lakh towards repairs, Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation for mental agony and Rs 10,000 in litigation costs.The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Kannur, passed the order on September 25, 2026, in a complaint filed against an authorised Maruti dealer.
Why did the Maruti Invicto buyer complain?
According to the commission order, Vijesh booked a blue Maruti Suzuki Invicto Strong Hybrid Zeta+ 7-seater on October 19, 2024, and received the vehicle on November 19, 2024. The sale price was Rs 25,21,000.He told the commission that he had inspected the car at the dealer’s godown before delivery and was satisfied with its model, colour and condition. However, after taking delivery, he noticed that the upper portion, bonnet and left door appeared to have been freshly painted.Vijesh alleged that the repainting had been carried out without his consent or knowledge and had affected the car’s original paint quality. He suspected the work might have been done to conceal damage caused by an accident or another incident before delivery.He asked the dealer to take back the vehicle and refund the amount paid. After the dealer allegedly refused, he sent a legal notice in January 2025, seeking relief. According to the order, the dealer neither complied with the demand nor replied to the notice.The buyer subsequently approached the consumer commission, seeking replacement of the car, Rs 10 lakh in compensation for mental agony and the costs of the proceedings.
What did the expert report reveal about the car?
The dealer did not appear before the commission or file a written response despite receiving notice. The case therefore proceeded ex parte, meaning it was heard in the dealer’s absence.The bench of President Ravi Susha and members Molykutty Mathew and Sajeesh K.P commission said the buyer still had to establish his allegations.An expert commissioner, appointed on the buyer’s application, inspected the vehicle and submitted a report. The commission relied on the report, along with the buyer’s affidavit and documents, including the vehicle invoice and legal notice.“It clearly shows that the vehicle’s upper portion, left door and bonnet are repainted and due to the painting work it lost its original painting quality,” the order recorded.The report also noted differences in colour matching on the repainted portions. The order said the expert had found that the interior roof lining was loose and some parts were lifted.The commission estimated expense for rectifying the roof-lining defects was Rs 50,000, while repainting the upper portion, bonnet and left door would cost more than Rs 1.5 lakh.“The painting of vehicle in upper portion bonnet, left door incurred an amount over Rs. 1,50,000/-, so it is clear that the vehicle is used and looked as in a good quality one it occurs Rs. 50,000 + Rs.1,50,000/- as the expenses for curing the defect,” the commission concluded.The commission held that the dealer’s failure to address the buyer’s grievance amounted to deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice. It concluded that the buyer was entitled to relief based on the expert report and the evidence placed on record.
Final order
The commission partly allowed the complaint and directed the dealer to either replace the defective car with a new one or pay the specified repair expenses.“The opposite party is further directed to pay Rs.1,50,000/- as compensation for mental agony caused to the complainant and Rs.10,000/- as litigation cost within 30 days of receipt of this order,” the commission added.The directions mean the dealer must:
- Take back the car and replace it with a new one, or pay Rs 2 lakh towards the specified repairs.
- Pay Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation for mental agony.
- Pay Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs.
The dealer has been directed to comply within 30 days of receiving the order. If it fails to pay the Rs 2 lakh repair amount, that amount will carry interest at 12 percent annually from the date of the order until realisation.