Fracture toughness is the most important mechanical property to be investigated for coatings used in mechanical applications. Indentation tests in static and sliding modes have been used to determine fracture-related properties. The nature of cracks observed under a microscope, qualitatively and sometimes even quantitatively, supplements the fractographic analysis of the coatings. Finite element modelling shows the stress distribution beneath the indentation contact point, which is especially challenging in scratch adhesion tests. The nature of carbon (graphitic) is sometimes found to provide a lubricative effect. The use of AI and ML in fractographic studies has also evolved, but it is in the primitive stages. The article discusses the issues mentioned earlier that can be applied to coating selection in harsh conditions requiring toughened coatings.