The Most Common Car Issues in India: Insights from Top Reddit Threads

Reddit is a treasure trove of real-world stories, complaints, and crowdsourced wisdom about Indian car ownership. By analyzing some of the most upvoted and discussed threads, here’s a blog that shines a light on the biggest headaches, hidden frustrations, and survival tips for car users in India in 2025.

1. Affordability Crisis: The Shrinking Entry-Level Car Market

Key Thread: “The first car of the middle-class Indians is dying…”

In 2016, over 900,000 entry-level cars sold annually; by 2025, that number crashed to 25,000. Even Maruti Suzuki’s cheapest cars are now beyond most middle-class buyers.
Excess taxes, stricter safety norms, inflation, and stagnant wages mean even a modest car is unaffordable for most families.
Ownership headaches: Urban car owners face parking scarcity, high fuel prices, and relentless congestion—unless they live in gated societies, the car is often more burden than boon.
“My first car barely ran 40,000 km in 15 years, but was scrapped due to government rules. Almost-new cars are destroyed, leaving owners bitter and frustrated.”

2. Road Quality and the Death of Sedans

Key Thread: “Why are Indian folks moving away from Sedans!!???”

Indian cities are infamous for uneven roads, monster speed breakers, and massive potholes. Sedans, with lower ground clearance, regularly suffer underbody damage and impracticality.
Many first-time buyers—and even loyal sedan fans—now switch to SUVs solely for the ability to survive city obstacles.
“Driving a sedan in Bangalore? Potholes and speed bumps will have you scraping the undercarriage almost daily. My family insists on SUVs for precisely this reason.”

3. Maintenance Nightmares: Poor Support for Not-So-Popular Cars

Key Thread: “Lesson learned from buying a not so popular car”

Owners of brands like Nissan, Fiat, and Chevrolet (after exit from India) struggle for spare parts.
Even minor components like tail lights are delayed; engine or clutch parts can take weeks to arrive.
“Had to travel 200km to get my Chevy Sail serviced after the dealer shut down. When a car brand exits India, support quickly becomes a nightmare.”

4. Trust Deficit: Service Center and Mechanic Scams

Key Thread: “Why are the Indian mechanics so poor in their work?” and “Service center hacks”

Common complaints: mechanics “repair one thing, damage two”, do unnecessary replacements, or overcharge for minor fixes.
Service centers often bill customers for work not done, sell overpriced add-ons, and push unnecessary maintenance.
“Always insist on getting replaced parts back after any non-warranty job. Refuse all value-added services unless critical. Paint protection, part ‘top-ups’, and forced accessories are usually a rip-off.”

5. New Car Quality Issues and After-Sales Trouble

Key Thread: “Received new defective car from day of delivery”

Customers recount cases where new cars have major manufacturing defects (e.g., persistent vibrations, faulty driveshafts) from day one.
Dealers and customer care are often unhelpful, with issues unresolved for months—even after escalation.
“Bought a ₹15 lakh car; had unresolved issues from day one. No help from the dealership, only endless runarounds between workshop and company. We’re now considering a consumer forum case.”

6. Unreliable Service from Some Indian Brands

Key Thread: “If we had consumer laws like the west, TATA would’ve gone bankrupt.”

Even popular homegrown brands face flak for quality and aftersales. A viral post details a Tata EV with charging port failures and early rust—within six months.
Others note punchy cars with frequent software or hardware glitches and long waits for even basic spares.
“Within months, my Tata EV had charging problems and visible rust. Why do we accept such low standards?”

7. Affordability—A Roadblock for the Majority

Key Thread: “Most Indians Can’t Even Afford Entry-Level Cars”

Maruti’s own chairman has stated: 88% of Indian households make less than ₹12 lakh/year and can’t buy even the most basic new car.
Rising prices, high taxes, and “safety upgradation” have raised the cost of entry to ₹10 lakh—beyond reach for most.
“Only about 12% of families can consider buying a ₹10 lakh car. For most, affordable cars are a dream pushed ever further away.”

8. Second-Hand Car Pitfalls: Odometer Tampering and Accident Cover-Ups

Key Thread: “How many of you have bought a used car instead of a new one.”

Used car buyers report rampant odometer fraud and accident repairs being purposely hidden.
The lack of transparent history deters many from entering the used car market.
“Buying a used car here means you must be doubly cautious about fake readings and undisclosed accident damage.”

9. Unfriendly Urban Infrastructure

Key Thread: “Cars are really important in India and stop listening to anybody who …”

Only around 10% of Indians own a car, yet traffic and chaos in cities is overwhelming for everyone due to a mismatch between infrastructure and vehicle numbers.
Parking headaches, cramped streets, and lack of lane discipline make ownership less enjoyable.

Takeaways and Survival Tips

Buy the most popular model you can—parts/support last longer.
Insist on paperwork and replaced parts at each service.
Test the car extensively at delivery for any defect.
If buying used, get a thorough evaluation for odometer tampering and accident evidence.
Choose cars with higher ground clearance if you drive in Indian cities or small towns.
Don’t accept poor service—escalate complaints via email or social channels for quicker response.
Budget for hidden costs: expensive spares, irregular service, and rising insurance/fuel prices.

Conclusion

The Indian car ownership journey is rewarding—but also dotted with potholes, both literal and metaphorical. Being informed about these common issues, as shared by thousands of real Reddit users, can help you mitigate risks and make smarter choices on the road to car ownership.

[All insights in this blog are based on high-engagement Reddit threads and discussions from the CarIndia, PersonalFinanceIndia, india, and related subreddits as of mid-2025.]

Disclaimer: Prices, specifications, mileage figures and feature lists cited in this article are based on publicly available information as of July 2025 and may change without notice. Always confirm the latest details with authorised dealers or the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, technical or legal advice. Neither the author nor this website assumes any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

Mileage Disclaimer: All mileage figures mentioned in this article, including ARAI-certified and real-world fuel efficiency numbers, are indicative and may vary significantly based on actual driving conditions, rider weight, vehicle maintenance, road conditions, traffic patterns, riding style, fuel quality, weather conditions, and individual vehicle variations. ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) test figures are obtained under controlled laboratory conditions and may not reflect real-world performance. Actual mileage typically ranges 10-30% lower than ARAI figures depending on usage patterns. Urban city riding generally delivers lower mileage compared to highway cruising at optimal speeds. Regular maintenance, proper tire pressure, quality fuel, and smooth riding techniques can help achieve better fuel efficiency. The mileage figures quoted from user reviews and owner reports represent individual experiences and should not be considered as guaranteed performance standards. Always test ride with a helmet and evaluate real-world performance before making a purchase decision.

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