The Delhi Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed MG Motor India to refund thefull purchase price of an MG ZS Astor SUV worth ₹18,23,228, along with interest, after finding serious defects in the vehicle and failure to honour warranty obligations. The commission also ordered the company to pay ₹4 lakh as compensation and litigation costs.
The case was filed by a Delhi resident who purchased the SUV in October 2022. According to the complaint, the vehicle began developing technical faults within a few months, including malfunctioning Tyre Pressure Monitoring System sensors and failure of the Electronic Steering Column Lock.
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Defects Reported Within Months
The complainant alleged that despite the vehicle being under warranty, the company charged him for certain repairs and failed to provide a proper resolution. The problems reportedly continued even after repeated service visits.
A major incident was reported in June 2023, when the steering system allegedly malfunctioned during travel, leading to an accident. The complainant said the company did not conduct a timely and proper technical investigation after the incident and instead carried out only superficial checks.
The vehicle remained at the service centre for an extended period, during which its condition allegedly deteriorated further. The commission later observed that the vehicle had been lying unrepaired for a long time and was likely beyond practical repair.
Company’s Defence Rejected
MG Motor argued that the issues could have been linked to driving behaviour or usage conditions. The commission rejected this defence, noting that mechanical and electronic failures such as TPMS and ESCL defects cannot be attributed to the driver without credible technical or expert evidence.
The panel held that the defects indicated manufacturing faults and that the company could not shift responsibility onto the consumer. It found that failure to resolve the defects despite warranty coverage amounted to deficiency in service.
The commission also held that returning the repaired vehicle was not a viable option in the circumstances. It allowed MG Motor to retain and dispose of the vehicle as per applicable procedure, while directing the complainant to assist in registration cancellation or transfer formalities.
Refund With Interest Ordered
In its order, the commission directed MG Motor to refund ₹18,23,228 with interest calculated from February 7, 2024, the date when the complaint was formally registered. The company was also ordered to pay ₹4 lakh as combined compensation and litigation expenses within four weeks.
The commission said any delay in payment would attract 9 percent annual interest until realization. The order reinforces that manufacturers must honour warranty commitments and provide effective remedies when serious defects arise in high-value vehicles.
The ruling adds to growing consumer scrutiny of automobile manufacturers over product quality, service response and accountability in cases involving technical failures.
