Woman wins legal fight after car dealer’s hidden 78,000-ruble fee scam
A woman from the Ilansky District has won a legal battle against a little-known LLC after being charged an unexpected fee for her car purchase. The court ordered D.S. Avto LLC to refund her 78,000 rubles, plus additional compensation. The case centred on an extra agreement she was pressured to sign when buying the vehicle.
In December 2023, the woman bought a car from Avtoimperiia dealership using a loan to cover part of the cost. During the process, she was asked to sign an independent guarantee agreement with D.S. Avto LLC for an extra 78,000 rubles. This LLC, not widely listed among automotive businesses, appeared to be involved in debt settlement or additional service fees.
When she later tried to cancel the agreement, she was told she could only receive half the money back if she withdrew her complaint. Unwilling to accept this, she took the case to court with support from Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s consumer protection agency.
The court ruled entirely in her favour. D.S. Avto LLC was ordered to return the full 78,000 rubles, pay a 21,000-ruble fine, and cover 3,000 rubles in moral damages. The decision has now entered into legal force, meaning no further appeals are possible.
The ruling ensures the woman recovers all funds tied to the disputed agreement. The case also sets a precedent for similar disputes involving unclear or forced additional fees during car purchases. D.S. Avto LLC must now comply with the court’s financial penalties and refund.
