RE: AT fluid change
Things that have lube in/on them need that lube changed/refreshed from time
to time.  That includes transmissions, engines, wheel bearings, etc.  I
don't recall the VW spec for AT fluid replacement but I know that most
wisdom is 30 to 50 k miles for such things.  I just had my automatic tranny
done at about 40k miles since the last service and got some small leaks
fixed.  Had the wheel bearings done also and found three with scorched
races, replaced them.  And the CV's were taken care of at the same time.
Things that move require good lubrication and that lubrication needs to be
replaced sooner rather than later.