Car company fined QR 100,000 for violating consumer rights

Published: 28 April 2025

NT Bureau
Doha

The Misdemeanor Court has issued a ruling fining a local car company QR100,000, after convicting it of not adhering to the rights of a consumer, following its clear violation of the provisions of Law No. (8) of 2008 regarding consumer protection, especially Articles (1, 2, 11 and 18).

The details of the case go back to an affected customer who filed a complaint against the company, explaining that his car had developed a malfunction during the warranty period, which prompted him to take it to the company’s maintenance center for repair, according to established procedures.

He stated that he was informed of the costs involved in the repair process, but when he arrived to col-lect the car, he was surprised that the requested amount had significantly increased from the agreed-upon amount. When he inquired about the reason, he was informed that additional problems had been discovered and parts had been replaced without consulting him or obtaining his prior approval.

The customer noted in his complaint that the company had not notified him in advance of these changes, depriving him of his right to accept or decline the service and have the vehicle repaired by another party.
He asserted that the excuses the company offered to justify its actions were unconvincing. According-ly, he submitted his complaint to the relevant authorities, attaching all the details and supporting doc-uments.

After examining and investigating the complaint, it was found that the company, as a service provider, had violated its legal obligations by failing to notify the customer and other consumers in writing of the estimated cost of the repair before commencing implementation.

The court ruled to fine the company QR100,000 for the charges against it, obligating it to repair the original defect at its own expense under the granted warranty, and granting it the right to appeal the ruling within the legally prescribed period.