My Experience with Maruthi True-Value Alto

My Experience with Maruthi True-Value Alto I had a Maruthi 800 with fitted RTO endorsed Gas kit, I had used it almost for 7 years I was a 2nd owner. It was 1996 make, most of the services and repair I did at out side Maruthi because the charges where reasonable and economical with personalized service.

Recently I decided to change the car and exploring different options, since I was too conscious about running cost hence I decided to buy Alto, I contacted Maruthi True value Dealer – Bharath Auto Cars (P) in Mangalore.

I chosen a Alto – LXI – 2008 Model with Metallic Blue Color and the odometer reading was Just 15000 kms.The Rate quoted was Rs.2,63,000/- and after the negotiation it was finalized for Rs.2,73,000 with additional Central Locking, Front Two Power windows and a Music System. I booked the Car by making Rs.1000 advance. The agreed delivery date was 06.11.2008 but it was not delivered on the promised date. When called them on 08.11.2010 in the morning the executive (Mr.Nagendra Pai) said it will be delivered by evening.

Evening after receiving the Call, I went their True value Show room and made the payment of balance i.e. Rs.2,72,000. Then they my signature on various papers, After that I had given only one Key of the car, while asking for the 2nd  Key, the executive’s (Mr.Arun & Nagendra) said they are having only one key, the next key will be given later, till then I had not seen the RC as I had full faith on them as it was an authorized Maruti True Value Show room, they given me the copy of the RC and Insurance along with original Invoice for Rs.2,73,000/ I asked for the Original RC, where, to my surprise I saw that the vehicle was hypothecated to Mahindra Finance and it was not cancelled, but the Executive shown one ATM balance sheet like paper and said it was already cleared and they need to get a letter from Mahindra Finance, which suppose to be received from Chennai and the hypothecation will be cancelled at the time of transfer of owner ship (to which they took my original Ration Card and 3 Photo) and they said it may take about 25 days. Then I asked for True Value warranty Card for 15000 kms/1 year plus 3 free services which they said the warranty card is sent to Maruthi True Value to get the True Value Engineers signature and it may take another week. Then I went to collect the car and just checking the car, I noticed that the roof light was not working I said, the evaluation team had checked only 119 points! (In true value system the car has been evaluated checking 120 various points, that is what they claim!) Then I noticed that the stepney tyre was Apollo make and it’s almost flat and looks like a 40 k run tyre (where as the car run only for 15000 kms) where as the other 4 Tyres were JK make. While I was checking the car on 03.11.2010 i.e. before making advance, there was a new looking JK tyre was there in the Stepney space. While asking the executive he said that, the tyre might have exchanged at the time of wash and they took me to their Kadri Show room where they could not find that tyre and brought one more Apollo Tyre which was better than the previous one but not a 15000 kms run tyre. At that point of time I almost lost faith on them and firmly said I wanted the same JK tyre which was almost looking as new then Mr.Arun, promised within a week they will trace it and hand it over.

Next day I traveled to Udupi from Mangalore (around 100 kms journey and I noticed the AC when kept on high was giving disturbing noise. Gear Lever was not settling properly (may be I was used to a 4 gear Maruthi since last 7 years)

I may keep up date my experience with Maruti True Value Car, as I should get a warranty for 15000 kms/1 year with 3 free services.

Based on my experience the prospective buyers from True Value should ask the Executive to fill up the following in the True Value Pre Owned Car Booking Form.

(1) Tyres Make (Later I noticed that which was not filled in my form)

(2) Battery make (as above!)

While booking a True Value Car one may note the following so that the same may cross verified at the time of taking the Delivery.

(1) Accessories fitted in the Car

(2) Tyre Make and Sl no if any

Wheel Cap.

(4) Original RC

(5) Original Insurance

While taking the Delivery

(1) Put your Signature only for the item which was handed over to you in original (I suspect I had put sign for 2 keys, warranty card, original RC, Insurance etc)

(2) Check properly for all the 5 tyre, Disk and for all the accessories which was available at the time of booking the Car.