Electric scooters showed the sharpest increase in problems with higher usage, experiencing nearly twice as many problems than all other segments combined, the J.D. Power study found.
03 Apr 2025 | 1619 Views | By Arunima Pal
According to the J.D. Power 2025 India Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study (2WIQS) released on March 5, two-wheeler owners in India experience more quality-related issues as they accumulate kilometers on their vehicles. The study found that owners report an average increase of 9 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) when they've ridden ...
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According to the J.D. Power 2025 India Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study (2WIQS) released on March 5, two-wheeler owners in India experience more quality-related issues as they accumulate kilometers on their vehicles. The study found that owners report an average increase of 9 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) when they've ridden their vehicles more than 2,500 kilometers compared to those who have ridden 2,500 kilometers or less in the first six months of ownership.
Electric scooters showed the sharpest increase in problems with higher usage, experiencing nearly twice as many problems (98 PP100) than all other segments combined (53 PP100). For high-mileage electric scooters, the most problematic areas were brakes, lights/electricals, and fit and finish.
"While initial satisfaction with vehicle's performance and build quality is improving, faster wear and tear during the early ownership period leads to several concerns in consumers' minds, such as performance degradation, increased vibrations, braking inefficiencies and component durability," said Pronab Gorai, engagement director at Differential in Singapore. "If initial quality expectations are not sustained over time, customers may hesitate to repurchase the same brand for their next vehicle. Instead, they may consider alternatives that promise better long-term reliability and durability."
The overall initial quality for the industry stands at 86 PP100 in 2025. The highest number of problems were reported in the engine category (18 PP100), followed by lights and electricals (15 PP100) and brakes (15 PP100). Notably, 58% of customers reported experiencing fewer problems than expected, a significant improvement from 2024 when only 44% of customers reported the same. Among all segments, electric scooter owners reported the highest proportion (61%) of fewer than expected problems.
Atsushi Kawahashi, senior director of J.D. Power Japan, emphasized, "Measuring new-vehicle quality in India is crucial for automakers aiming to enhance customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Leveraging these insights for proactive quality improvements can enhance resale value, lower warranty expenses and strengthen competitive positioning for India's two-wheeler manufacturers."
Royal Enfield ranked highest in the overall two-wheeler initial quality study with 68 PP100.
The 2025 study, redesigned this year, was conducted in collaboration with Differential, Singapore. It measured problems experienced in eight categories for internal combustion engine models: brakes; connectivity, mobile app and navigation; engine; fit and finish; gauges and controls; lights and electricals; ride and handling; and transmission. For electric two-wheelers, the engine and transmission categories were replaced with battery and charging; and pick-up and performance.
The study was based on responses from 6,503 new two-wheeler owners who purchased their vehicles from May through December 2024. The survey was conducted face-to-face in 42 major Indian cities, covering 80 two-wheeler models from 12 manufacturers. Brands were ranked according to their aggregate score of problems per 100 vehicles, with lower scores indicating better quality.
Among the brands included in the nameplate rankings, Royal Enfield (68 PP100) led the pack, followed by TVS (75 PP100), Bajaj (78 PP100), Ather (80 PP100), and Honda (81 PP100). These all performed better than the industry average of 86 PP100. Below the industry average were Ola (90 PP100), Yamaha (95 PP100), Hero (98 PP100), and Suzuki (116 PP100). Ampere, Jawa, and Triumph were not officially ranked as they did not meet the study award criteria.