Mahindra Duro, Defective From the Base. Review on Mahindra Duro

What if you have to remind yourself everyday that you made a bad decision to buy this scooter, Mahindra Duro. My requirement was urgent and I was interested in buying a Honda Activa for my wife but had to go for this one because of Activa's long waiting period(3 months) and the Mahindra brand attached to it.

On 22nd April, 2011, when I bought this in Pune, the base price for the scooter was Rs. 41, 350(incl. VAT tax). Additionally, paid Rs. 1, 121 insurance charges, Rs. 413 octroi, Rs. 3, 315 RTO tax and registration fees and Rs. 350 for the smart card. So the total on road price came to Rs. 46, 549.

I have had this since, and it's been 1 and half years since then - this is my understanding of the product:

Pros:

1. Quick availability; mostly because people are just not buying it.

   
   




2. Huge under-seat storage space; full-mask helmet, laptop bag, anything goes inside.

   
   




3. Smooth riding experience; if it is just out of the sevice center. This lasts for a week.

   
   




4. Powerful engine; only till one month after service.

   
   




5. Front-wheel hits the body if it goes in even small ditches.

   
   

Cons:

1. Priced not much less that Activa, Duro is an inferior quality product compared to Activa.

   
   




2. Head-stand rubber lasts for a week and after that it makes an irritating noise and vibration by touching the engine.

   
   




3. Self-start fails often.

   
   




4. Headlight is very weak.

   
   




5. Nuts and bolts get loose very often.

   
   




6. Average mileage is low; 25-30 kmpl.

   
   

As I see that all other users are also very dissatisfied with this scooter, Mahindra should come out with an apology to the public for producing this piece of junk. I would say that Mahindra should recall all units of Duro and give their customers something worth the money that they have spent. Even Service Center mechanics agree to the inferior quality of the scooter and feel helpless for customer complaints.

I had a very good impression on the Mahindra brand from my childhood, but now I guess I will never buy anything with the brand Mahindra ever in my life. Nor will ever I suggest to anybody.