A consumer disputes redressal commission in Kerala has ordered a motorcycle mechanic to pay Rs 66,752 to a daily wage earner after a repaired engine broke down within three months of service.
The commission, comprising President S. K. Sreela and member Stanly Harold, ruled that the mechanic, Anilkumar B., was liable for service deficiency and unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The order, dated July 7, concluded that the mechanic’s negligent work caused severe financial distress and mental agony to the vehicle owner, Renjith R.
As part of the ruling, the commission directed Anilkumar to pay Rs 36,752 to cover the actual financial losses incurred by the owner. The mechanic must also pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for the hardship and mental agony suffered by the complainant, alongside Rs 10,000 to cover litigation costs.
Delays and Police Intervention
The dispute originated in July 2025, when Renjith took his Hero Glamour motorcycle to Anilkumar’s workshop to address engine issues. He paid an advance of Rs 12,000 for the job. However, the mechanic repeatedly failed to meet delivery deadlines, leaving the motorcycle disassembled during Renjith’s frequent visits.
Renjith, who earns a daily wage of Rs 1,100, missed eight days of work while trying to retrieve his motorcycle. He eventually sought assistance from the Paravur Police Station. Following police intervention, the bike was returned to him in August 2025, though Anilkumar failed to provide any invoice or bill for the repair work.
Premature Breakdown and Legal Redress
Upon returning the vehicle, the mechanic assured Renjith that the engine would function without issues for 100,000 kilometers. He instructed Renjith to change the engine oil after two weeks and restrict his riding speed to under 40 kilometers per hour for the first three weeks. However, the engine developed major defects within three months, having covered less than 6,000 kilometers.
An inspection by an independent mechanic revealed that the engine crank had failed. When Renjith requested a refund or compensation to get the bike repaired at an authorized center, Anilkumar refused and advised him to seek repairs elsewhere. Having lost confidence in the mechanic, Renjith spent Rs 17,610 to have the engine properly repaired with genuine parts at another workshop before approaching the consumer commission for a total financial recovery of Rs 36,752.
The consumer commission proceeded with the case without a formal response from Anilkumar, who failed to submit his version of events within the allowed timeframe. The panel determined that the mechanic’s repair work was highly negligent and fell short of reasonable professional standards, making the complainant eligible for full reimbursement and damages.
