International survey: Independent workshops are leaving untapped potential in automatic transmission service

10/07/2025

#Press release #Drive parts

79% of independent workshops in Germany are aware that automatic transmissions require maintenance, yet only 26% carry out the service on a regular basis
The main barriers are a lack of technical information (76%), insufficient staff training (74%) and inadequate customer education (73%)

An international survey conducted in August 2025 by MEYLE and the market research institute Innofact reveals a significant gap between knowledge and action in German workshops. While four in five businesses (79%) are aware of the need for automatic transmission maintenance, only one in four workshops (26%) translates this knowledge into regular services. MEYLE surveyed 350 workshops in six countries – including Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Sweden and the USA – and identified previously untapped business potential in the German aftermarket. This potential is part of a broader trend, with the global automatic transmission market expanding rapidly. According to analyst reports (*), an annual growth rate of 6.9% is expected by 2032.

Customer demand lags behind workshop recommendations

The figures for Germany underscore the dilemma: only 33% of German vehicle owners actively request automatic transmission services, while around 57% of workshops recommend this service to their customers. The reasons for this reluctance are multifaceted: 76% of the workshops need more technical information, 75% complain about the unavailability of certain parts, and 74 % call for better staff training.

“The theoretical knowledge exists, but practical implementation lags significantly behind,” says Patrick Stüdemann, Head of Technical Training at MEYLE. “This gap between competence and business reality costs workshops revenue every day.” Another key reason for weak demand is the lack of consumer education. Many drivers believe in so-called ‘lifetime fill’ automatic transmission fluid and underestimate the need for regular maintenance. That can prove costly: while a timely ATF change costs between €500 and €1,000, transmission damage can lead costs up to €16,000.

International findings show similar patterns

Results from the other markets studied confirm the German pattern. The gap between awareness and practice is particularly evident in France: 75% of independent workshops recognise the relevance of ATF service, but only 28% perform them regularly. A similar picture emerges in Poland (63% awareness, 23% regular execution). Overall, in all markets surveyed, awareness clearly outweighs actual service frequency.

Source: (*) Automotive Automatic Transmission Global Market Report 2025, The Business Research Company, July 2025