ATF servicing as a means of revenue growth for independent workshops

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) changes represent a significant, yet largely untapped, revenue opportunity. According to a survey by Meyle and the German market research institute, Innofact in August 2025, most independent workshops recognise the importance of a regular ATF service, but only 37 per cent perform it on a regular basis.

The barrier is rarely a lack of knowledge about the service, but a lack of confidence. Meyle said that its training sessions show that technicians understand the topic but feel uncertain about its execution. In reality, however, ATF servicing requires no special expertise or equipment: a suitable oil change kit, a lifting platform and standard waste-oil disposal are all it takes.

The following sample calculation shows that already a low number of services per week can pay off quickly: “with two ATF changes per week, an hourly rate of €70, around 1.5 hours of labour and materials costing roughly €280, a workshop can generate approximately €39,000 in annual revenue from this single service alone. The model scales easily since the same equipment works across different types of transmission,” said Fabian Laufer, product manager at Meyle AG.

However, choosing the right oil is critical, as every automatic transmission requires a fluid that precisely matches its shift characteristics. Manufacturer specifications are the gold standard for this type of product. A conventional drain-and-fill exchange already covers most of the fluid volume and delivers excellent results. Only when symptoms such as delayed shifting or shuddering persist, a full flush can be a better option.

According to Meyle, any cleaning additives should be avoided here, as their residues can damage internal components.

To get independent workshops ready for the ATF service, Meyle recommends consulting a parts distributor for guidance and training.

Meyle and its technical experts will be exhibiting at the 2026 Auto Trade EXPO, which takes place alongside the CV Workshop EXPO from 10th -11th October at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin.