while theres no excuse for bad workmanship,sadly this is the way the motor trade is goin guys.i started in 1978 on mk2 escorts,cortinas etc.it was different back then,we got good training,had a laugh and had to actually "work" on cars.points plugs valve clearances etc.in todays garage enviroment the average apprentice could'nt tell you how to do these things.they are taught nothing about gearboxes because they are classed as specialist subjects (?).
as for time served mechanics you have to put some blame on the car makers,servicing times and repair times are cut to the bare bone and with dealers only interested in their profits and not their staff
thats why service at a dealership has gone into the @@ithouse.the problems you describe are common in every garage across the country.as a workshop foreman i despair at the thought of the future of the motor trade in this country.its all profit ching ching!!.i work for the largest motor group in scotland and we dont even get wished a merry christmas by our boss.do we mr clark?