Buying guide
Diamond DA40 for sale: what to check before you buy
Published November 11, 2026.
The Diamond DA40 is a four-seat composite single used by flight schools across Europe. "DA40" covers four certified versions with three different engines, and the engine decides the fuel, the weight and most of the cost. Below is what the official EASA data sheet says about each version, what today's listings show, and what to check before an offer, with extra attention to the diesel DA40 TDI.
Four versions, three engines
All four versions are on the same EASA data sheet, IM.A.022. The version sold as "DA40 TDI" appears there as the DA 40 D.1
| Version | Serials | Engine | Max. takeoff weight | Standard tank (total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA 40 | 40.006 to 40.083 and 40.201 on | Lycoming IO-360-M1A (petrol) | 1,150 kg, or 1,200 kg with modification MÄM 40-227 | 156 litres |
| DA 40 D (sold as TDI) | 40.080, 40.084, D4.001 to D4.399 and 40.DS001 to 40.DS175 | TAE 125-01 or TAE 125-02-99 (diesel cycle, jet fuel) | 1,150 kg | 113.6 litres |
| DA 40 F | 40.FC001 on | Lycoming O-360-A4M (petrol) | 1,150 kg | 156 litres |
| DA 40 NG | 40.N001 on and 40.NC001 on | Austro Engine E4 (diesel cycle, jet fuel) | 1,280 kg, or 1,310 kg with modification | 113.6 litres |
According to the official data sheet, all four versions carry one pilot and three passengers, have a maximum operating altitude of 5,000 m (16,404 ft) and are prohibited from flying into known or expected icing. The serial lists have gaps: the data sheet names the serials that were never built. IFR is not automatic: on the DA 40 and the DA 40 D it depends on an optional design change being installed.1
What today's listings show
On November 11, 2026, the PlaneFox aggregator, which collects listings from European and American portals and brokers, showed 55 DA40s for sale.3 Sorting them by version is our reading of each title and engine description; 10 listings do not say which version they are and were left out of the table.
| PlaneFox, 11/11/2026 | DA 40 (Lycoming) | DA 40 D (TDI) | DA 40 NG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listings | 12 | 8 | 25 |
| Priced in euros | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Asking price | €195,000 to 299,000 | €172,000 to 365,000 | €270,000 to 590,000 |
| Total hours, where published | 261 to 2,150 | 2,230 to 6,955 | 50 to 4,500 |
Listings priced in dollars or pounds are counted but not in the price row. Three of the eight DA 40 D listings are the aircraft on our own site. Two NG listings carry the years 2003 and 2007, before the NG existed: the data sheet allows a DA 40 D to be converted to a DA 40 NG by an approved service bulletin, so an "NG" with an early year or a D4 serial is a converted aircraft and should come with the conversion paperwork.1 Asking price is not selling price.
What to check on any DA40
- The serial confirms the version. A D4 serial is a DA 40 D, 40.N or 40.NC is an NG, 40.FC is a DA 40 F. Serials 40.DS001 to 40.DS175 were built in China by Shandong Bin Ao, whose production approval EASA revoked on October 28, 2019.1 The routine for checking serial, registration and owner is in this post.
- Which engine is installed on a TDI. The DA 40 D was certified with the TAE 125-01 (1,689 cm³) and with the TAE 125-02-99 (1,991 cm³), both rated at 99 kW for takeoff, and the data sheet approves replacing the first with the second.12 Ask which one is on the aircraft and for the retrofit records.
- Engine life remaining. These engines do not follow the usual overhaul logic. The engine data sheet refers to a time between replacement for the TAE 125-01 and a time between overhaul for the TAE 125-02 models, both published in a manufacturer service bulletin.2 Ask for the limit in force for that engine and gearbox, in hours and in calendar time, and the hours already used.
- IFR and the G1000. On the DA 40 D, IFR requires design change OÄM 40-136 or OÄM 40-193, and the G1000 is approved only with OÄM 40-193 (IFR) or OÄM 40-224 (VFR).1 A glass cockpit does not prove an IFR aircraft: check which change is recorded.
- Fuel. The DA 40 D runs on jet fuel. Automotive diesel (EN 590) is approved only with modification MÄM 40-129 installed, and the engine data sheet requires a fuel tank thermometer, because the cold-weather behaviour of diesel varies by country and season.12
- School history. This part is our reading. Most DA40s for sale come from flight schools, and the airframe is composite. Ask for the landing count, the repair records and who carried out any composite repair, and have the structure inspected by a shop that knows the type.
- Airworthiness directives. Check the EASA directives for the airframe, engine and propeller, and compliance in the records.4
The DA40s we have for sale
- DA40 TDI with G1000: TAE 125-02-99 engine with 800 hours left of the 2,100 hours reported by the seller, KAP 140 autopilot, €330,000.
- DA40 TDI, 3,332 hours: engine with 858 hours and 1,242 hours remaining, price on request.
- DA40 TDI, 6,955 hours: engine with 267 hours, price on request.
The year, serial number and inspection status of each one are confirmed with the seller on request. If you are comparing with a twin, see DA42 or DA62.
Sources
- EASA, type certificate data sheet IM.A.022, Diamond DA 40, issue 24, Apr. 22, 2021: easa.europa.eu
- EASA, type certificate data sheet E.055, TAE 125 series engines, issue 16, Oct. 27, 2025: easa.europa.eu
- PlaneFox, Diamond DA40 listings, accessed Nov. 11, 2026: planefox.com
- EASA, Safety Publications Tool (airworthiness directives): ad.easa.europa.eu