The importance of transmission maintenance
As the trade prepares for one of the busiest periods in the service calendar, MEYLE is confident MOT season is an opportunity to highlight the importance of automatic transmission maintenance.
According to data from the global market research company, GiPA, and the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation’s industry intelligence report, MOT testing volumes in the UK are expected to increase. The report expects that in August, the estimated test volume would be 2.48 million, which would be 2.5 percent higher than 12 months earlier.
MEYLE acknowledges that while the MOT itself does not specifically assess transmission oil condition, the company says the annual test often prompts vehicle owners to address wider maintenance requirements. This makes it an ideal time for workshops to raise awareness of automatic transmission servicing – a growing but still underutilised area for workshops, according to MEYLE.
Automatic transmissions: Widespread but often overlooked
Automatic transmissions are becoming increasingly common across the UK vehicle parc, yet regular transmission oil changes are still frequently overlooked, says MEYLE. Despite the ‘lifetime fill’ misconception, as MEYLE describes it, transmission oil degrades over time as a result of heat, friction, and contamination from wear particles. Left unchanged, this can lead to reduced lubrication performance, harsher gear changes, increased wear, and, in some cases, costly transmission damage.
Untapped revenue potential
MEYLE’s recent survey of independent workshops, conducted with market research institute Innofact, underlined the scale of the opportunity. While 73 percent of UK workshops recognise the need for automatic transmission maintenance, only 40 percent say they carry out the service regularly.
The company says the findings point to a “significant gap” between awareness and execution, suggesting many workshops are still missing out on a valuable source of revenue.
The survey also highlighted the barriers holding workshops back, with respondents citing a lack of technical information, insufficient training, and difficulties sourcing parts as key reasons why automatic transmission servicing is not carried out more consistently.
MEYLE Head of Technical Training, Patrick Stüdemann, said: “Automatic transmission servicing remains a key untapped opportunity for independent workshops. MOT season brings customers in and creates the ideal moment to discuss preventative maintenance. By raising awareness of transmission oil changes, technicians can help motorists avoid costly repairs while strengthening their service offering.”
What does Meyle offer?
To support workshops in delivering these services, MEYLE offers a range of automatic transmission oil change kits, with the aim of simplifying the repair process and making servicing more efficient. The kits contain the components required for the oil change.
MEYLE says it is also investing in training and technical support to help the trade build confidence in this area. Through dedicated training initiatives and practical guidance, the company is working to remove some of the barriers identified in its research and help aftermarket stakeholders turn automatic transmission servicing into a routine part of their maintenance offer.
