Tata Sierra EV Sold as 'Brand-New' shows 900-Km odometer, breaks down within 80 Km; customer seeks refund
Raipur : Tata is one of the most reliable car makers in India, but for one consumer, the company has failed to maintain its clean image. A consumer dispute has emerged over a Tata Sierra EV that customer Harish Kumar Agrawal says was presented to him as brand-new despite visible damage and approximately 900 kilometres on the odometer at the time of purported delivery.
Agrawal booked a Tata Sierra EV Pure S 63 on August 8, 2026, the vehicle’s launch date. When it was presented for delivery on August 14, he noticed marks and damage around the roof and side panels, markings on the bonnet and door handles, scratches at the rear and approximately 900 kilometres of prior running. He refused delivery, did not sign the delivery documents and shared photographs with Tata Motors representatives.
Despite his objections, Agrawal cooperated with a request to bring the vehicle for inspection and rectification. On August 30, while travelling from Visakhapatnam towards Raipur, the vehicle displayed an overheating warning after around 80 kilometres and suddenly stopped. Following instructions from Roadside Assistance not to restart it, Agrawal had the vehicle towed to the nearest Tata Motors facility in Vizianagaram.
After around three days, he was reportedly told that there was no issue with the vehicle and that the warning was caused by a “software glitch.” Agrawal sought a written technical report covering the warning, fault codes, inspection findings and the condition of the battery, motor, inverter and cooling and thermal-management systems. According to him, the report was not provided.
He later asked the Raipur showroom to arrange safe transportation of the vehicle to an authorised Tata Motors facility. According to his complaint, the showroom declined to collect it, citing roadside risk, and instead asked him to drive the vehicle to Raipur.
The dispute also involves approximately ₹29 lakh received, retained or adjusted in the transaction, including around ₹7 lakh towards Agrawal’s old vehicle. He has sought a complete invoice, statement of account and financial details of the transaction.
Agrawal is seeking a complete explanation of the vehicle’s prior running and condition, PDI and technical records, safe transportation of the vehicle, and either:
1. Replacement with a genuinely brand-new, unused Tata Sierra EV of the same make, model and variant; or
2. Cancellation of the transaction and refund of the entire amount paid or retained, including the value of the old vehicle exchanged.
He has also sought compensation for loss of use, inconvenience, travel, towing and other consequential expenses, along with associated costs.
Agrawal says the vehicle’s approximately 900-kilometre reading, visible damage, representation as brand-new and subsequent breakdown after around 80 kilometres raise serious concerns. He has sought resolution under applicable consumer-protection law and has given the concerned parties seven days to address his demands.
