Since the closure of prefecture counters at the end of 2017, grey card procedures are handled online or by an authorized professional. Midas is one of the automotive brands approved by the Ministry of the Interior to process certain registration operations, in addition to offering the manufacturing and installation of plates. The exact scope of this service deserves attention, as not all centers cover the same procedures.
Actual scope of grey card procedures accepted by Midas
Midas primarily communicates about the change of ownership in the context of purchasing a used vehicle. The center carries out the procedure in direct connection with the vehicle registration system (SIV) and issues a provisional registration certificate allowing circulation for one month.
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However, since the end of 2023, several centers no longer handle complex cases: imported vehicles, inheritance, technical modifications, or duplicates. These situations require direct contact with the ANTS (National Agency for Secure Titles). The list of centers offering grey card services is published by Midas in the form of a PDF document, and it does not cover the entire network.
Before visiting, checking with the relevant center about the type of operation covered helps avoid an unnecessary trip. To better understand how the Midas grey card and plate prices work, it is important to distinguish between official taxes and the fees charged by the provider.
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Cost of the grey card at Midas: regional taxes and service fees
The final price of a grey card processed at Midas is divided into two distinct blocks. The first block consists of legal taxes, which are the same regardless of the channel used (ANTS, Midas, or another authorized professional). The second block consists of the service fees charged by the center.
Legal taxes: the largest part of the bill
The regional tax, calculated based on the fiscal power of the vehicle and the tax rate set by each region, is the main item. Since 2024, several regions have increased this rate, notably Île-de-France and Occitanie, which raises the overall amount without Midas being responsible for it.
In addition, there are the management fee, the processing fee, and, if applicable, the ecological penalty for the most polluting vehicles. The simulator available on the Service-Public.fr website allows for an estimate before any procedure.
Midas service fees
Midas charges a fixed amount for carrying out the administrative procedure. This amount appears on a single invoice that combines the taxes paid to the state and the center’s remuneration. The single invoice simplifies tracking, but it should be noted that service fees vary from one center to another. Requesting a precise quote remains the only reliable method for comparison.
Midas license plates: price, delay, and compliance with technical control
Regardless of the grey card, Midas offers the creation and installation of aluminum license plates. The service covers two plates (front and rear) and includes installation.
- Each center has a stock of plates bearing the local department number, available immediately for installation without waiting.
- If the customer wants a different department, a delay of 48 hours may apply before availability.
- The provided plates comply with the current SIV regulations, ensuring their acceptance during technical control.
A damaged, illegible, or non-compliant plate leads to a refusal during technical control with a re-inspection. The most common defects are the detachment of characters, loss of readability due to oxidation, or a non-compliant format. Replacing worn plates before technical control avoids this type of unpleasant surprise.
Actual delays and limits of the service at the center
Midas announces a processing time of ten minutes for a standard change of ownership. This timeframe corresponds to data entry and the issuance of the provisional certificate. The definitive grey card is then sent by mail to the owner’s home, usually within the week that follows.
Field reports vary on this point. Several factors can lengthen the reception time:
- A temporary congestion of the SIV system or the national printing service, common at the beginning of the year or during peaks in automotive transactions.
- An error in the supporting documents provided (proof of residence, transfer certificate, expired technical control) that blocks validation on the ANTS side.
- A particular case not detected during the initial handling, referred back to the ANTS for manual processing.
The documents to be prepared remain the same as for an online procedure: identity document, proof of residence, transfer certificate, and valid technical control for a vehicle over four years old.
Online grey card or at Midas: what to choose
Going directly through the ANTS costs only the legal taxes, with no additional service fees. The Midas service adds a cost but eliminates the personal management of the online procedure, which can be cumbersome when the ANTS site experiences slowdowns or file upload bugs.
For a standard change of ownership on a used vehicle, the service at the center remains the fastest in terms of time spent. For a complex case (importation, inheritance, fuel type modification), the ANTS often remains the only competent contact, as no authorized professional can guarantee the processing of these atypical files.
The choice therefore depends on the type of operation and the value one places on their time. Checking in advance if the nearest Midas center is on the list of authorized points, and confirming by phone that it indeed handles the desired operation, remains the safest reflex before any trip.