Yes, the AC problem is pathetic, you have to keep changing the controls to avoid the screen getting condensed. Most people do not know there are four major flaws with all Laura's:
1. The hose pipe touches the fan near the bonnet, causing a harsh sound. This causes both the fan and the hose pipe to wear out prematurely. If you notice the problem the service engineers wil put two wiring harnesses from the local market that are used to tie computer cables. They will charge you Rs.500 for service and Rs.150/- for each harness (they cost Rs.2 in the market). However the problem will not be sorted until you go to a good garage and ask them toe tie thin ropes (suthli's). This is a manufacturing defect in all Laura's.
2. The headlight cleaner that pop's out after five windscreen washes, has a body coloured cover which falls off on the driver side. The replacement cover costs Rs.500 and and extra Rs.300 for the paint since it only comes in black.
3. The ac control has to be directed to the feet to avoid the screen from getting condensed. This causes the passengers in the rear to become very uncomfortable.
4. The tyres in the Laura develop a bubble after 4-6 months o[censored]sage, the only remedy is replacement of all tyres, which costs around Rs.29,000/-
Apart from the above standard problems the fuel lock release switch is also problematic, with most cars facing that problem. After about a years usage the lid refuses to open, Skoda engineers will surely replace something and give you a huge bill, but the problem never completely goes away.
Our company has 20 Skoda octavias and 9 Lauras, including one of the origianl imported Lauras with 8 airbags. The quality of Skoda has really suffered, with even the Octavias giving a ton of problems. I spoke to 5 people in Skoda Ahmednagar and they didnt even bother to reply to our directors. This after buying 29 cars, I can imagine what an individual owner goes through.
If you have to go for a diesel go for a Optra Magnum. Chevrolet is trying hard to please its customers and the price is low too. Our company scrapped the idea of buying a superb after seeing the host of problems. We are not even buying the Passat which has been offered to us in a loyalty scheme, since it is the same family and shares the same parts and manufacturing facitilty.
Moral of the story...Old Octy's rock, new ones suck. Laura is a defective car, not meant for keeps. Our company has already sold 7 of the 9 Lauras.
S A Singh.
Mumbai
Aug 13, 2020
Complaint marked as Resolved 
Dear Sir;
I had such a high degree of respect for the track record established by SKODA Motors in rolling out products of superior quality for over a century that I had no hesitation in driving away an OCTAVIA from the show room without a test drive. Though I may have purchased your new edition of Laura Elegance if I would have been properly briefed on its excellent features and advantages.
But I am sorry to tell you that this is perhaps the greatest blunder I have committed in my life. I have had nothing but problems from day one. To add to my misfortune, I have a dealer who seems to be totally disinclined to be of assistance.
I was given a test drive of Laura automatic and was impressed by the look of the car but as Calcutta road are congested therefore I preferred to go for a manual car instead
I went to your dealer – JIA AUTO SALES LTD, AJC Bose Toad, Calcutta on 9th July 2008 with the intention of purchasing a SKODA Laura Elegance. Since the people at the showroom were not able to convince me on its performance on road I decided to go for an OCTAVIA, as it was a tried and tested vehicle. I decided and impulsively booked an Octavia Elegance and paid Rs. 50000/- to Jia Motor .
In absence of the brochure for the model I could not get an idea of the exact features that the model has, I expected that there would be a DVD sound system in the car and I told Mr. Rohit the Sales Manager to confirm me on the same, as previously I have only used top-of-the line sound system in my cars. He assured me that even if it is not here he will somehow manage to get one .
On 12th July your sales manager was intimated on the delivery of the vehicle booked by me to be on 18th July and I specifically requested to hand over the vehicle by 2.00 PM.
Without proper information on the delivery from your dealer we went to the dealer at 4.00 PM and found that the vehicle was yet to arrive at your showroom. It arrived at 6:00 PM and was handed over to us when it was almost dusk. There was confusion about the accessories, registration number plate etc., and we found our selves completely neglected in absence of a proper navigator to brie[censored]s on the matter . Mr. Rohit was not to be found anywhere though he was repeatedly called by my colleagues and by me on the delay and on the music system. The delay not only has jeopardized my work and ruined all the arrangements made for the ritual ceremony that one does on purchase of a new vehicle.
With prior intimation and proper brief from your end I could have installed music system of my choice on the day of the delivery and also could have through checked the car accessories in the day light if I would have got the vehicle on time.
While driving back to my work from your showroom the engine stalled five times. Firstly, I thought I might be the fault of the drivers. When I took over after the vehicle had automatically stalled thrice, I found that the Odometer was not working. There were no splashguards at the wheels, which are most essential on Calcutta streets during the monsoon.
Next morning I noticed that the plastic covers were unsealed and seat covers were stained.
The next day when we got in touch with the dealer regarding stalling of the engine, non-functioning odometer and the splashguards, their representative arrived and along with my colleagues found the fuse to run the odometer was lying inside the ashtray. It was clearly evident that the odometer had been disconnected to conceal the fact that the car has been used by your people prior to the delivery.
We were asked to go to the dealership by their representatives for having the splashguards installed against charges. When we went to the dealership they could not find splashguards of the right size to fit the vehicle and we had to return without the flash guards. We were again instructed by Mr. Rohit to send the car to the workshop for fixing the splashguards against charges.
We could never understand the logic of providing splashguards for the rear wheels and customer having to pay for the guards on the front wheels. It seems rather curious to me. I would have not ever hesitated to purchase these essential accessories, if told by the dealer’s people.
It is amazing that a SKODA Dealership does not have a stock of minor accessories.
The engine still keeps stalling twice or thrice a day. And though I was lucky to escape major accidents twice on the highway (Eastern By Pass) but could avoid pubic agitation for blocking the way.
From the evidence of the odometer having been disconnected; the stains on the seat covers, the malfunction of the system that has caused several interruption while driving and our having to wait for four hours at the dealership, we are unable to accept the vehicle as a fresh and new one.
So what we have got is a “USED CAR”. On top of that with all its faults what we have with us what is commonly called in the USA – a “LEMON”
Whenever I call up the Manager of the dealership about fixing the problems, I get to talk to one his juniors has only advised us to have patience the issue will take sometime to solve and has differed the matter .This has been going on for a week now.
I have complained to the Customer Care Service 5/6 times but have never received a proper response except a show of arrogance.
Mr.Rohit who showed his interest and called me on 24th July to solve the matter, failed to be on time at my office on 25th July at 12.Noon as agreed upon, I had to rush for a meeting and visited your showroom while coming back to meet your General Manger and to speak to him on the car matter and an allegation brought to my notice by Mr.Rohit that a person from my office has made a call to Ms.Suchorita Majumdar of your showroom and she has felt insulted by the communication.
Since we knew that the allegation has been brought to divert the attention from the actual crisis, We requested the lady to show the number that she has assumed to be ours, as expected she and the rest of the showroom staff found to be nervous and ultimately showed us a number that does not belong to us ..
Yes, she was called by my colleague twice once around 3.30pm to seek her help to speak to the higher authority and next at 5.51.pm to get her feed back as she assured us to help . So the question of insult does not arise .
What an excellent way to help us, instead of trying to solve our problems they are now resorting to counter allegations.
The entire episode has disturbed my peace of mind and created a great deal o[censored]nnecessary tension. In fact it has created a phobia about purchasing a brand new car.
My faith and trust in SKODA has been totally shattered. I regret having made a wrong choice. I could have easily gone for another premium brand (because my budget was
Rs.16, 00, 000/-) from a dealership run by knowledgeable and sensitive people.
To conclude, the facts stated above are proof that we have not been delivered what we were promised. We have paid for a used faulty vehicle, which is not serving the purpose for which it was purchased. This is a clear case of breach of trust.
With the interference of Mr.V.K.Soni general manger Jia Auto have made the matter worst he assured on replecement of the vehicle and requested to handed over the used Octavia to him, he later took the car to his showroom and thenafter failed to keep the appointments and his committments of getting back to us on the replacement of the vehicle .
Rather he has mailed us on 6thstating that the car is ok hence he has solve all the disputes after the car was taken to show room...
I, therefore, request you not to force me to retain the afore mentioned vehicle and seek for more trouble in future instead to do the needful to have an everlasting relationship with you .
I shall highly appreciate a response from you.
God bless you all.
Sincerely yours,
Niladri Biswas