Monday 16 March 2026
The competent courts recently issued judicial rulings against a commercial establishment operating in the vehicle sector following a series of complaints received by the Consumer Protection Authority from consumers. The Authority referred these complaints to the Public Prosecution after settlement between the parties could not be reached, in accordance with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Law and its Executive Regulations. The cases primarily revolved around repeated vehicle defects, failure to comply with product warranties, and the absence of transparency and credibility in commercial transactions.
The case files included several complaints from consumers, most notably the appearance of transmission defects immediately after purchasing the vehicles, malfunctions in electronic systems and display screens despite repeated repair attempts, in addition to delays in vehicle delivery and failure to adhere to transparency in contractual agreements. Some consumers also reported being compelled to accept defective vehicles or facing refusal to replace them despite technical faults being confirmed through reports issued by accredited experts. The cases further included failure to properly repair vehicles and the recurrence of defects more than four times without fundamental resolution, which constitutes a clear violation of the legal provisions guaranteeing the consumer’s right to replacement or refund during the warranty period.
Following the referral of the cases to the competent court and their examination, the court issued rulings convicting the suppliers in these cases. The penalties ranged between direct fines and suspended sentences in certain instances, in addition to obligating the suppliers to refund the value of the vehicles and compensate the consumers for damages. Accordingly, the total fines amounted to 2,500 OMR, while 4,000 OMR was refunded to the consumers and 2,000 OMR was awarded as compensation for material and moral damages.
Through these rulings, the Consumer Protection Authority reaffirms its decisive role in safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring suppliers’ compliance with the law, thereby strengthening confidence in the market and protecting consumers from any unfair practices. Transparency and adherence to the law remain fundamental pillars in ensuring a fair and stable commercial environment and reinforcing the principles of justice in commercial transactions.