Can I Modify My Older Car?
Summary
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to modify an older car with NDIS funding help. We explain what you'll need to consider along with the exceptions and limits.
It’s a question Total Ability gets asked a lot by people with disabilities who want to install driving controls, vehicle access and/or stowage equipment into their older car.
Many believe that you cannot modify a vehicle that’s more than 5 years old.
This is based on their misunderstanding of the NDIS ‘rules’ (in fact, they are guidelines) over what the NDIS will or won’t fund.
So, to be clear, if you aren’t looking for NDIS funding and are paying for modifications yourself, you can modify an older car.
However, if you are looking for NDIS funding, below we explain the NDIS guidelines that in some circumstances allow you to modify an older car.
Where to Find the NDIS Guidelines?
The NDIS publish and update their guidelines here and you can then either download a PDF or Word Document with the latest guidelines, or use the navigation on the right (at time of publishing this – the website may change) to find the sub-section “How old is your vehicle and is it under warranty?”
It is a little buried, so first look for “What vehicle modifications and driving supports do we fund?”, and then click “Are the vehicle modifications and driving supports value for money?”
What The NDIS Guidelines Actually Say?
At the time of writing this article (early March 2025), if your vehicle is five years old or under, or older but still under manufacturer’s warranty, you can apply for funding for modifications. Even so, you may still be asked to produce a copy of the warranty.
Vehicles older than 5 years and no longer under warranty can qualify, but you need to arrange for a vehicle condition report from your state or territory motoring organisation.
The NDIS will fund the cost of this vehicle condition report in the core – consumables section of your plan.
The vehicle condition report will need to show to the NDIS:
- your vehicle is legal and safe to be on the road.
- any parts of the vehicle with signs of wear and tear which are likely to need replacing in the medium to short term.
- what the next major service will likely include and the estimated cost if all recommended parts are replaced.
You’ll find links to your state or territory motoring organisation in the PDF or on the NDIS webpage.
More Than 10 Years Old?
Even a vehicle more than 10 years old isn’t a complete ‘no’.
The guidelines go on to say that a vehicle over 10 years old isn’t likely to be ‘value for money’ for any significant modification.
Again, this doesn’t entirely rule out getting funding for modifications, but they would have to be minor.
Other Guidelines to Consider
Are the modifications you are getting transferrable to another vehicle?
If so, this is another possible example where you can get your older vehicle fitted on the basis that they won’t be obsolete if your older car is no longer roadworthy.
However, it is important to note that you may have to pay for the cost of transferring the equipment (uninstalling from your old car and reinstalling into your new car) if the NDIS paid for your original modifications less than 5 years ago.
The NDIS usually reconsiders replacing vehicle modifications every 8 years, or earlier if there’s been major changes to your needs.
Why Does the NDIS Have These Rules?
The guidelines also explain how the NDIS expects your modifications to last 8 to 10 years.
This reveals a key reason the NDIS aren’t keen to pay to install modifications into older vehicles — they are worried that the modifications will last longer than the car itself.
That also explains the exception mentioned above, where the modifications can be transferred and can therefore still be used in your replacement vehicle.
Questions You Should Ask:
- How Old Is My Car?
- Is It Still Under Manufacturer’s Warranty?
- How Do I Find My Manufacturer’s Warranty?
- Are the Modifications I Want Transferrable?
Further Information Links:
Get Personal Help:
Total Ability can help guide you through the process of getting on the road. Read why we’re the Disability Driving Experts and how you can use our services to help you navigate your path to drive with disability.
This Guide covers:
- Initial Assessment
- Understanding the Plan
- Assistive Technology and the NDIS
- State Motoring Authorities
- Assessment Considerations
- Quotes and Evidence
- High-cost Vehicle Modifications
- Complete the NDIS Application
- After Lodgement
- Checklists
The Driving Hand Controls Catalogue includes:
- The complete range of driving hand controls and who they are suited for.
- A comparison chart outlining the benefits and features of various types of hand controls.
- The history of Fadiel Italiana high level modification driving systems.
