Any automotive service technician over the age of about 45 years will be able to describe for you a certain "evolution" in the demands and responsibilities of their job. New techs turned out today have received high tech training since day one and have grown up with computers giving them an edge in servicing vehicles that have become technology-driven.
In addition to the change in the nature of the work from lifting wrenches and specialized diagnosis skills, the outgoing tech must deal with a different marketplace where the knack for effectively diagnosing and fixing a vehicle may be significantly less appreciated. The nature of the competitive marketplace has grown to a point that technicians, especially those working for chain franchises and less scrupulous lube shops, are rewarded for doing less work, turning a car over faster, and most importantly generating a higher margin service.
We have all heard (and many experienced) the hard-sell from a mechanic less interested in just changing the oil or addressing a straightforward issue informing us that we must do such-and-such immediately or the car is likely to end up upside down, in the bushes and on fire the very next time we drive it. Like so many other industries, the experienced and specialized employees are being pushed out by people who are trained more specifically to make a quick buck.
Even at new car dealerships, there is significant pressure on service managers to meet certain criteria and goals, so techs able to sell the money-makers are going to get all the work even if they are quarter of the actual tech an experienced wrench is. Those services, which in someone's defense are often necessary (sometime prematurely) are big ticket, high-margin items like brake work, timing belts, And the infamous "flush" service.
Dealerships and independent garages are regularly bombarded by "flush" salesmen and their newest equipment telling everyone who will listen that they can double their profits with their stuff. So when someone bites, they want to flush more than a Grand Central Station Terminal toilet. Unfortunately, they end up handing them out like some doctors are now prescribing Maris for everything from a twisted ankle to nausea.
Where does this leave you as a car owner? Well, knowing the situation is half the battle. You will do yourself a favor by being aware when you go in for service. Should you already have a trusted facility/tech, then you are probably in good hands. But should you ever patron an unfamiliar place, looking to the eldest and dirtiest guy in the place might be your safest bet.
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