What a great post.

Many times have I pondered on the best way to evaluate an applicant.

I am relatively new to being "the gaffer" & it’s not a role that is easy to fill. I have found out the hard way to ask the right questions.

In the early days, I trusted guys who said that they were qualified. BIG MISTAKE! I now insist on seeing proof of their achievements.

I have considered presenting an interviewee with a C/V joint to strip & re-assemble (clean off course). In my desperate times I have even thought about timing how long it takes to fit a wiper blade. On an old 7 series E32 that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Seriously though, good mechanics are very hard to find. This is a good topic & one that may be better placed in a "trade only" section.

“”””””””””””””Waste time with a numty.
things like;
1. can you use volt meter / scope
2. understand gas readings
or giving them a car with fault say a renault with coil down and see how the go about diagnosing fault?””””””””””””””

You must be on a different planet to me. There are probably only two guys in my region, who know how to use a scope (I am not one of them I must admit). However if I had three guys with my enthusiasm & willingness to learn then I would “clean up” as it were!!

Cheers guys!