The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has directed motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield and its authorized dealer, Bharat Automotives, to jointly pay ₹5.1 lakh in compensation to a customer. The ruling comes after advocate Uthresh Gobu filed a complaint regarding recurring and unresolved defects in his Continental GT 650 motorcycle.
Persistent Defects and Service Failures
According to the complaint, Mr. Gobu purchased the premium café-racer motorcycle in May 2022. Soon after delivery, the bike began experiencing a multitude of mechanical and electrical issues that persisted for nearly three years. The commission noted that the motorcycle accumulated an astonishing 294 days in various service centers across multiple cities, including Coimbatore, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi, despite numerous repair attempts and component replacements.
Key Component Malfunctions
- Instrument Cluster: Allegedly replaced six times due to fogging and malfunction.
- Keyset: Replaced three times.
- Other Components: Repeated issues and servicing for suspension, throttle body, sensors, electrical wiring, silencers, and the exhaust system.
The complainant further argued that the repeated replacement of the instrument cluster impacted the odometer readings, potentially affecting the vehicle's resale value. Additionally, he alleged that Bharat Automotives charged excess insurance premiums and made errors in vehicle registration, resulting in a spelling mistake on the Registration Certificate.
Court Finds Deficiency in Service
The bench, comprising President P Dakshanamoorthy and Member G Suguna, observed that the continuous defects and the inability of Royal Enfield and its dealer to rectify them constituted clear lapses in customer service. The court found that despite extensive time spent in workshops, the core issues remained unresolved, causing significant hardship and mental agony to the customer.
Compensation Awarded
In its order issued on May 6, the commission mandated that Royal Enfield and Bharat Automotives jointly pay ₹5.1 lakh for the mental agony, hardship, and related expenses incurred by Mr. Gobu. An additional ₹10,000 was awarded towards litigation costs. The court also stipulated that if the total amount is not paid within two months, it would attract an annual interest rate of 12%.