L880K · LA400K
Daihatsu Copen import check
L880K is the factory model code for the Daihatsu Copen, built for the Japanese market from 2002 to 2012. Other versions carry LA400K. Every genuine car has a chassis (frame) number that starts with its code, such as L880K-. That number is the one thing that links its Japanese history to its UK records.
L880K at a glance
- Model code
- L880K
- Make
- Daihatsu
- Model
- Copen (first generation)
- Body
- 2-door convertible (folding hard top)
- Built
- 2002 to 2012
- Engine
- JB-DET (659 cc turbo petrol)
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Japanese trims
- Active Top, Detachable Top, Ultimate Edition
- Chassis number format
- L880K-nnnnnnn
From our own model library, compiled from public sources and not yet checked against a second source. UK records sometimes drop the hyphen or the leading zeros of the serial; our check allows for that.
Reading the L880K chassis code
- L880K is the first-generation Copen and LA400K the second.
| Code | What it is | Engine | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| L880K | Copen (first generation) | JB-DET | 2002–2012 |
| LA400K | Second generation, KF turbo | KF | 2014–2026 |
Have a chassis number? The chassis decoder reads it for you.
Is it a genuine L880K?
Some first-generation Copens were sold new in the UK; a Japanese import has an L880K- frame number.
Known problems to check on an L880K
- Active Top folding roof: hydraulic pump, seals and leaks
- Turbo wear and oil leaks
- Kei cars are built to Japan’s small-car rules (658 cc, 64 PS cap): check it is comfortable at UK motorway speeds before you commit
These are common issues for the model, not facts about any particular car. Ask the seller about each one.
Before you buy
- Open and close the roof several times, and check the boot for damp
The L880K on a Japanese auction sheet
- The sheet names the car コペン (Copen).
Most imports were bought at a Japanese auction, and the inspector’s sheet records the grade, mileage and every mark on the body. Ask the seller for it, then run it through our auction sheet translator to read it in English and check the chassis number and mileage against the UK record.
Recalls in Japan for the L880K family
Japan publishes every recall with the chassis numbers it covers. Run a recall check with the car’s chassis number to see whether any apply to it.
MOT record in the UK
Daihatsu Copen
- 31% of 2,512 first MOT tests failed in 2024 and 2025, 26% lower than the UK average for cars of the same age.
- Most common advisory: Condition: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing (15% of tests).
- Most common failure: Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (8.6% of tests).
The first-generation Copen was also sold new in the UK.
All Daihatsu Copen MOT statisticsFrom DVSA’s anonymised MOT data, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Kilometres, miles and the first UK MOT
An L880K sold new in Japan has a speedometer in kilometres. When it is imported, the speedometer is either converted to miles or left in km, and the first UK MOT should record whichever the dial shows. Mistakes here are common, and they’re where mileage problems hide.
We put the Japanese auction mileage and every UK MOT reading on one timeline and check the crossing: whether the readings agree after converting, whether the km figure was written down as miles, and whether the first UK reading is lower than the car had already done in Japan. See an illustrative example.
What we haven’t confirmed yet
We only state what we’re confident of. We haven’t yet checked these points about the Daihatsu Copen against a second source, so treat them with care:
- European-market Copens include a 1.3 version, reported as L881K, which we haven’t added.
Know the answer? Email [email protected].
Questions
What is the chassis code for the Daihatsu Copen?
L880K, with LA400K for other engines or drive layouts. A Japanese-market Daihatsu Copen has a frame number that starts with its code, then a hyphen and a serial number. You’ll find it on the V5C and on a plate in the engine bay.
Which years was the L880K built?
From 2002 to 2012, with the JB-DET (659 cc turbo petrol) engine and FWD layout.
What should I check when buying an L880K?
Active Top folding roof: hydraulic pump, seals and leaks. Turbo wear and oil leaks. Kei cars are built to Japan’s small-car rules (658 cc, 64 PS cap): check it is comfortable at UK motorway speeds before you commit. Open and close the roof several times, and check the boot for damp. Also check that the Japanese auction mileage lines up with the first UK MOT, because km and miles are easily mixed up.