Applications for Relief Related to Automobile Maintenance Rise Each Year
"Poor Maintenance" After Repairs Accounts for 73.3% of Cases
Settlement Rate Only 36.9%... "Difficult to Prove Responsibility"
It has been found that consumer damage caused by "poor maintenance," such as vehicles being damaged or defects recurring after automobile repairs, is on the rise.
According to the Korea Consumer Agency on July 18, there were 953 consumer damage relief applications related to automobile maintenance filed with the agency over the past three years and five months (from 2022 to May 2025). The number of cases increased each year, from 234 in 2022 to 355 last year.
By type of damage, "poor maintenance," which includes cases where vehicles are damaged, scratched, or defects recur after repairs, accounted for the largest share at 73.3% (699 cases). In addition, "unfair charges," such as billing for repair costs, diagnostic fees, or estimates without prior notice or performing excessive repairs, accounted for 18.2% (173 cases). "Maintenance delays" due to issues such as parts supply problems made up 4.5% (43 cases).
It was also found that the settlement rate for consumer relief cases related to automobile maintenance is low. Only 36.9% (352 cases) were settled through compensation, repairs, or refunds. This is a low figure compared to the 59.5% (567 cases) that were not settled. The Korea Consumer Agency analyzed that this is because it is not easy for consumers to prove the responsibility of the business operator, even if they suspect a vehicle malfunction or excessive repair after maintenance.
Accordingly, the Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to: ▲ receive a check and repair estimate when requesting maintenance and confirm the details and costs; ▲ carefully inspect the maintenance results and check for vehicle damage together with the business operator on site after repairs are completed; ▲ obtain a maintenance statement and compare the work performed with the advance information (such as the repair estimate); ▲ and, if any abnormalities are found in the vehicle, request warranty repairs immediately before the free warranty period expires.
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