1974 Cessna 172M for sale

1974 Cessna 172M

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$83,397below typical asking range
Location Western Australia, Australia
Total Time 4,850 hrs
Seats 4
Reg # VH-IEN Australia
Engine LYCOMING O-320-E2D
Cruise 120 kts (222 km/h)
✓ Clean NTSB ✓ Verified recently

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Description

1974 Cessna 172M, Regretful sale due to work commitments, dated but still a very solid aircraft for its age, recently undergone extensive respray and fresh annual inspection completed March 2026. SIDS compliant. Located Geraldton WA. Lycoming O-320-E2D Overhauled by Platinum Aviation in 2016 approx 1000 HTR, Prop Overhauled by West Coast Propellors late 2018 approx 1500 HTR Garmin GMA340 Audio panel, Bendix/King KX165A Nav/Com, Bendix/King KT76C Transponder & GME TX3500 UHF installed 2018

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison

Source Price Action
Listing Source
planesales.com.au
$83,397
$82,673

Estimate Monthly Payment

Cessna 172M loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 172M

This 1974 Cessna 172M (VH-IEN) is a 4-seat single engine piston with 4,850 hours on the airframe. There are currently 54 172M aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $51,340 to $299,000. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $83,397.

The 172M cruises at 120 kts (222 km/h) with a range of 585 nm (1,083 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 13,100 ft allows operation above most weather.

Operating costs: Fuel burn is 8 GPH (30 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $50/hr in fuel alone. With 4,850 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.

NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 4,850 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Budget $120 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 172M — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
4
Cruise Speed
120 kts (222 km/h)
Max Speed
125 kts (232 km/h)
Range
585 nm (1,083 km)
Ceiling
13,100 ft (3,993 m)
Max Weight
2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Useful Load
910 lbs (413 kg)
Horsepower
150 HP
Fuel Capacity
43 gal (163 L)
Fuel Burn
8 GPH (30 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 172 O-320 150hp

Fuel Burn
8.0 GPH
~$52/hr

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 172 O-320 150hp. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registry covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers).

This aircraft (VH-IEN) is registered outside the US.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Western Australia, Australia

AU

Seller reported

Title Status

No FAA title records

Available for US-registered aircraft only

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.

Safety Record

NTSB safety data coming soon.

We'll check VH-IEN against the NTSB accident database.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 172M

SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.

Reciprocating Engine CRACKED
2026-03-05

POSITION # 1 &2 CYLINDER EXHAUST PORT CRACK FROM THE INBOARD EXHAUST STUD EXTENDING TO THE BACK OF THE PORT. CRACK VISIBLE THROUGH THE FINS. SUPERIOR CYLINDERS PN: SL32006W-A1 SERIAL NUMBER 326W000003625 & 326W000003623.

Fuselage BROKEN
2025-10-17

STATIC CONDENSATION BULB P/N S-1258-1 FOUND SEPARATED FROM AN 1/8 PIPE BY PIPE 90 DEGREE FITTING. THESE CONDENSATION BULBS ARE OF VERY CHEAP PLASTIC AND ARE FAMOUS FOR LEAKING RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO OTHER PART OF BETTER QUALITY. I...

Electrical Power CHAFED
2025-09-28

THE BATTERY BOX FOR THE LEAD ACID BATTERY INTERFERES WITH THE LEFT MAGNETO HARNESS AND CHAFES THE HARNESS LEADS OVER TIME. THE INBOARD , FORWARD CORNER IS THE POINT OF CONTACT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SITUATION IN MANY 172S. ELECTRONIC MAGNETOS LIKE THE SUR...

Power Plant CRACKED
2025-06-26

ON APPROACH CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER BUT DID NOT STOP RUNNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DE-SELECT THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE LOSS OF POWER PERSISTED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 2300 FEET MSL AND 2 NM FROM THE RUNWA...

Engine Fuel/Control LOOSE
2025-02-08

ACFT RETURNED TO BASE DUE TO VIBRATION AT 300FT ON 2/8/25. PILOT REPORTED ENGINE STARTED SHAKING SIGNIFICANTLY. HE PULLED CARB HEAT HOT SAW NO CHANGE. TOLD TOWER HE WAS LANDING. CARB HEAT SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED WITH NO DEFECTS FOUND. CARB WAS REPLA...

Ignition WORN
2024-08-13

REMOVED AND REPLACED RH MAGNETO DUE TO 500 HOUR OVERHAUL LIMIT. NEW MAGNETO INSTALLED FOR 78.2 HOURS BEFORE A FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND HIGH MAG DROP ON RH SIDE AT PRE-RUN. ATTEMPTED TO TIME RH MAGNETO TO ENGINE. POINTS APPE...

Reciprocating Engine CRACKED
2024-03-26

TOTAL INTERNAL CRANKSHAFT FAILURE AT CHEEK BETWEEN #3 AND #4 CONNECTING ROD JOURNALS CAUSING CRANKCASE TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE IN THE CENTER. CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE REAR THRUST RADIUS OF #3 CONNECTING ROD JOURNAL. PILOT HAD REPORTED ...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-11-09

DURING INSPECTION FOR ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, PERFORMED SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION) & FOUND 3EA ROCKER ARMS P/N 17F19357 & 3EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F19957-10 WITH MECHANICAL DAMAGE (HEAVY SCUFF - SCORING). ROCKER ARMS & PUSH RODS TSN: 147.9. PRE...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-10-19

LYCOMING FACTORY OVERHAULED O-320-D2J, S/N L-17060-39E. DURING ROUTINE MX, SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSP.) FOUND 4EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-10, 2EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-09, 6EA ROCKER ARMS P/N17F19357, 6EA SOCKETS P/N 15B21319 & 6EA LIFTERS P/N ...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2023-10-18

LYCOMING FACTORY REBUILT - O-320-D2J, S/N RL-20892-39E. DURING ROUTINE MX. SB388C (EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE INSPECTION) FOUND 3EA HYDRUALIC TAPPETS P/N 15B21319, 3EA HYDRAULIC LIFTERS P/N 15B26066, 3EA ROCKER ARMS P/N 17F19357, 2EA PUSH RODS P/N 15F28835-...

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.

Price vs Typical Asking Range

This asking price is below the typical asking range for this model, roughly $119,950–$167,450.

Based on current asking prices for comparable listings — asking prices only, not an appraisal or sale price.

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.