An international survey carried out by leading parts specialist, MEYLE and market research institute Innofact, has revealed a significant disconnect between awareness and practical implementation of automatic transmission maintenance among independent workshops. The findings point to a clear business opportunity that remains largely untapped across the market.
The survey, conducted in August 2025 among 350 independent workshops across seven key markets – Germany, Spain, France, Poland, Sweden, the UK and the USA – revealed that while 73 percent of UK workshops recognise the importance of automatic transmission maintenance, only 40 percent currently carry out the service on a regular basis.
The reasons for this reluctance are complex: 92% of workshops call for better staff training, 89% point to low customer demand, and 83% need more educational videos for employees. MEYLE is addressing these challenges through its growing Automatic Transmission product range, alongside increased technical support for the market with the recent launch of its technical training van in the UK.
Andrew Tress, Director at MEYLE UK, said: “These hurdles contribute not only to reduced service uptake but also to missed revenue opportunities for garage businesses and lower customer service levels, as drivers may face more costly repairs further down the line. While the technical knowledge is there, the practical execution is still lagging behind.”
The survey also found that customer demand remains low, with only 21 percent of UK drivers actively requesting automatic transmission servicing, despite 44 percent of garages recommending it. This emphasises the need for better communication with motorists on the benefits of proactive transmission maintenance.
Internationally, the trend is consistent. In Germany, 79 percent of workshops recognise the need for transmission servicing, yet only 26 percent provide it regularly. In Poland, the figures stand at 63 percent awareness versus 11 percent regular execution.
According to industry analysts*, the global automatic transmission market is expected to grow by 6.9 percent annually through to 2032, underlining the opportunity for workshops to expand their service offering.
In response, MEYLE is strengthening its support for workshops, including the introduction of a dedicated UK training van. This allows MEYLE’s technical experts to visit workshops directly and deliver hands-on training, such as automatic transmission oil change procedures. By combining high-quality parts with practical training, MEYLE aims to make technicians’ day-to-day work easier while helping workshops unlock new revenue potential.
