Anecdotally I have worked also in the motor trade for quite a few years and never saw it, I’ve also abused the ratchets on my own car for year, 70,000 miles on my punto 100,000 miles on fords and Saab’s and never once had a problem with any of them.
Just using this forum as a reference, how many posts are there about failed ratchets.....? (There will obviously be the odd one here and there as the cars get older ) Versus the thousands of other posts on her for all manour or various problems.
Needing a new ratchet every 2 years for the MOT Is not really inkeeping with even the worst ratchets abuser
I'm in my 60's & have worked with cars in & out of the trade.... never come across this ratchidy worness either....