Daihatsu Copen Cero
A low-mileage classic styling with an unusually strong mix of factory and aftermarket upgrades.
Model Year: 2015
Mileage: 29,800 km / 18,625 miles
Engine: KF-VET (658cc L3 DOHC Turbo)
Transmission: 5MT
UK Registered
MOT until March 2027
Available Now
£17,990
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Why this CERO?
The Cero is the most classically styled member of the second-generation LA400 Copen family.
Its rounded headlights, curved body lines and familiar proportions deliberately echo the character of the original L880K Copen — making it a natural choice for drivers who still love the look of the first-generation car.
At TR Imports UK, we see the Cero as more than simply a retro-styled version of the newer Copen. It preserves much of the visual character that made the original car so distinctive, while bringing with it around twelve years of development in chassis design, construction, materials and everyday usability.
For someone who loves the original Copen, but would also like the benefits of a much newer generation, the Cero may be the most natural place to start.
And then there is this particular Cero.
When we found this car in Japan, it was already very different from a standard example.
Its previous owner had spent considerable time developing the car, using a mixture of genuine Copen accessories and carefully selected Japanese aftermarket parts — not only underneath the car, but throughout the exterior and interior as well.
Chassis & handling
TRD Performance Dampers — front and rear
TRD Door Stabilisers
GR body reinforcement braces and underbody aerodynamic parts
BBS wheels
Engine & exhaust
D-SPORT sports air filter
D-SPORT × 5Zigen exhaust system
Exterior
The modifications are relatively subtle from the outside, allowing the Cero’s classic shape to remain the main feature.
Daihatsu front lip spoiler
Daihatsu fuel-lid garnish
Black Side decal
Interior
The interior has received considerably more attention.
D-SPORT leather seat covers — driver and passenger
Alcantara upholstery applied to the door trims, interior trim panels and pillars
TRD gear knob
Aftermarket handbrake cover with red stitching
Matching armrest with red stitching
Daihatsu aluminium Copen sill covers
Rather than changing the basic character of the Cero interior, the modifications build on its original red-and-black theme and give the cabin a much more individual finish.
Audio
FOCAL speaker system
JOYN JDA-C7 Bluetooth DSP amplifier
Taken individually, none of these parts defines the car.
Together, however, they make this Cero very different from simply importing a low-mileage standard example from Japan.
NOT THIS ONE?
Love the Cero, but not the price?
This particular car combines low mileage with an unusually extensive collection of genuine accessories and Japanese aftermarket parts.
If you love the Cero itself but don’t need all of that specification, we may be able to find a simpler, higher-mileage example in Japan at a more accessible price.
You may also prefer a different colour, transmission or specification.
Want a Copen now, but not necessarily a CERO?
We currently have other LA400 Copens in the UK, each with a very different character.
GR Sport
GR Yaris Face
The most handling-focused version
Low-mileage
XPLAY
Adventure/crossover character
Raised ride height
Mid-mileage
ROBE S
Sharp original Copen styling
Performance-focused S specification
Mid-mileage
Still working out what your ideal Copen looks like?
Not sure yet? That's perfectly fine.
If you're beginning to work out your preferred model, colour, transmission, mileage and budget, this guide will help you think through the choices before you start looking seriously.
Ready to start looking in Japan?
If you're beginning to know what you want but the right car isn't already available in the UK, our Bespoke JDM Import service may be the next step.
Before we start searching, we want you to understand how we work, what decisions need to be made, and what to expect from the process.
New to the LA400 Copen?
The LA400 is the second generation of the Daihatsu Copen, introduced in Japan in 2014.
It's a compact two-seat kei sports car powered by a 658cc L3 DOHC intercooled turbocharged engine, with an electrically operated retractable hardtop that transforms it from coupé to open-top car at the touch of a button.
Unlike the first-generation Copen, which was officially sold in the UK, the LA400 was never officially offered here by Daihatsu.
That means every LA400 Copen you see on British roads has arrived here as a Japanese import.
Why did we choose the LA400 Copen?
There are plenty of interesting small sports cars in Japan. So why did TR Imports UK decide to bring the second-generation Copen to Britain?
Want to understand the different versions?
Robe, Cero, XPLAY, GR Sport. Standard or S. Manual or CVT. Different colours, specifications and model years.
If you're new to the LA400, our Buyer's Guide will help you understand what's available.
PREPARED FOR THE UK
From Japan to the UK
We purchased this Cero in Japan in November 2025.
Before leaving Japan, it was sent to a Copen specialist for a comprehensive inspection and preventative service. It arrived in the UK and underwent the MOT in March 2026.
We then completed our own preparation programme at TR imports UK, with the car finished and ready for sale in July 2026.
November 2025 Japan Auction → December 2025 Inspection & Service → March 2026 UK → March 2026 MOT → April 2026 DVLA Registration → July 2026 Preparation Complete
Perhaps we over-prepared it.
If you love Japan and Japanese cars, you probably already know that doing the minimum isn't really the Japanese way.
Before this Cero left Japan, we sent it to a Copen specialist for what Japan calls a 24-month periodic inspection.
Don't let the rather ordinary name fool you. It is a structured inspection covering the engine bay, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, steering, underbody, electrical systems and more — all recorded on the inspection sheet supplied with the car.
We then asked the specialist to carry out the preventative servicing to refresh/set the service record we wanted before the car came to the UK.
And yes, perhaps we went a little further than strictly necessary.
Major servicing already taken care of
This wasn't simply an oil-and-filter service. The following maintenance items were taken care of with Daihatsu genuine parts:
Engine oil replaced
Engine oil filter replaced
All auxiliary drive belts replaced
All spark plugs and ignition coils replaced
Manual transmission fluid replaced
Brake fluid replaced
Wiper blades replaced
Cabin filter replaced
Air-conditioning refrigerant replaced
Prepared by TR imports UK
Once the car was registered in the UK, our work wasn't finished.
We carried out our own preparation programme — covering UK usability, mechanical inspection, cleaning, detailing and protection — before offering the car for sale.
UK compliance & everyday usability
Rear fog light, dedicated wiring harness and tell-tale switch installed
TR Imports UK bespoke mph speedometer panel with GR logo
A new set of Yokohama Blue Earth tyres
A brand-new pair of Daihatsu floor mats
JOYN Bluetooth DSP Amplifier JDA-C7 installed for smartphone audio through the car's speakers
JOYN JDA-C7 Bluetooth DSP amplifier
We wanted to make the original Japanese audio system genuinely useful in the UK without replacing it simply to add Bluetooth. The JOYN unit allows wireless audio from your smartphone while adding DSP processing and amplification to the existing speaker system.
More than an MOT check
Passing an MOT wasn't the end of our mechanical preparation.
We removed the brake calipers, pads and discs to inspect the braking components properly. The seals and rubber boots were checked and found to be in good condition, so a caliper overhaul wasn't necessary. Rust was removed where required, braking surfaces were checked, and the components were cleaned and detailed before reassembly.
Underbody inspected and cleaned
Wheel arches thoroughly cleaned
Areas behind the front and rear bumpers cleaned
BBS forged alloy wheels individually cleaned and polished
Final detailing & protection
Finally, we turned our attention to the areas you see and touch every time you use the car.
Engine bay components detailed
Interior thoroughly cleaned and detailed
Rubber components cleaned and treated
Glass polished
Body panels machine-polished
Gloss protection applied
By the time this Cero was offered for sale, much of the routine maintenance you might expect to face after buying a used performance car had already been taken care of — first in Japan, and then through our own preparation programme here in the UK.
It's not the cheapest way to prepare a used car.
But that's rather the point.
£17,990 for a Copen?
Did you look at the price and think: “That's expensive. I can't justify that. Why does a Copen cost so much?”
If your idea of Copen prices comes from the first-generation cars you've seen for sale in the UK, that's an understandable reaction.
But there's one important thing to know.
Copens aren't cheap in Japan.
Why?
The first-generation Copen has now been around for more than 20 years. Yet in Japan, good examples can still be advertised in the same broad price range as second-generation LA400 models.
That's because a Copen isn't valued in Japan in quite the same way as an ordinary ageing small car.
Age alone doesn't make a Copen cheap.
And one of the most important factors affecting the price is mileage.
Lower-mileage cars generally command stronger prices, while accepting higher mileage can make the same model considerably more affordable.
That's why, if you want a CERO but this car is beyond your budget, one of the first things we'd suggest is looking for a higher-mileage example in Japan.
So why are first-generation Copens so much cheaper in the UK?
There's a reason why UK-market Copens trade at lower prices.
The first-generation Copen was officially sold here, but Daihatsu subsequently withdrew from the UK market. Over time, the dealer network disappeared, official parts channels diminished, and the support environment around the car gradually faded away.
In other words, many first-generation Copens in the UK have effectively become “project cars” — and project cars need to be priced accordingly.
That doesn't mean Copens themselves are cheap. Look at the Japanese market and you'll see a very different picture.
Is this particular Cero worth £17,990 to you?
We've now taken you through the car, its specification, its history, how it was prepared, and why Copen prices in Japan may be very different from what you've seen here in the UK.
We've tried to make everything as transparent as possible, so you can understand the value behind the price.
Now the decision is yours.
Is this particular CERO worth £17,990 to you?
If you think it might be, come and see it for yourself.
Book a Viewing
Who will look after your Copen?
So, even if you love this CERO, did another thought just cross your mind?
“Daihatsu isn't here anymore. Who's going to maintain it? Could my LA400 eventually end up in the same situation as the first-generation UK-market Copens?”
That's exactly the question you should be asking before buying a Japanese-market car that was never officially sold in the UK.
And that's one of the reasons TR imports UK is here.
Importing and selling the car is only part of the job.
If the LA400 Copen is going to have a future in the UK, owners need somewhere to turn for servicing, repairs, parts and technical knowledge.
So we're building that support around the car as well.
Workshop Support
Our own workshop in the South of England provides servicing, inspection, preventative maintenance, repairs and more specialised Copen work.
We also work with a partner workshop in North London and have access to a mobile mechanical support in the Midlands.
Parts from Japan
Keeping an imported Japanese car on the road also means being able to get the right parts.
Through our parts channels in Japan and the supplier network we've built over the years, we can source genuine Daihatsu parts as well as specialist, upgrade and tuning components when required.
Knowledge
Parts alone aren't enough.
Knowing the car — what commonly needs attention, what can still be sourced, what can be repaired, and when replacement is actually necessary — matters just as much.
We support both generations of Copen.
Our work isn't limited to the LA400s we import and sell. We also service, repair and source parts for first-generation L880K Copens already here in the UK.
What we can help with
Routine servicing
Comprehensive inspection & preventative maintenance
Repairs
Genuine parts supply
Rebuilding & restoration
Underbody & salt protection
Upgrades & tuning
We can't bring Daihatsu back to the UK.
But we can make sure owning a Copen here doesn't mean you're on your own.
Feel better about owning a Copen in the UK?
Book a Viewing
View Current Stock
Bespoke Import Service
Meet Tom — The person behind TR imports UK
Thank you for staying with me through this rather long page.
My name is Tom Ishii, and I'm the owner of TR Promotions Europa Ltd., the company behind TR imports UK.
I'm Japanese, and I've lived in the UK for more than 20 years. TR imports UK is a small, independent business specialising in Japanese cars, parts and the support that goes with owning them here in the UK.
I started the automotive side of the business around five years ago, but cars and motorsport have been part of my life for much longer.
I've spent more than a decade working as a mechanic in competitive karting, and today I'm still very much hands-on — preparing cars in our workshop, sourcing parts from Japan, developing our own cars and supporting customers after the sale.
Being Japanese and bilingual also means I can work directly across both sides of the process — with suppliers and specialists in Japan, and with owners here in the UK.
More than a business
TR imports UK is also part of the Japanese-car community we enjoy ourselves.
I founded 130R Yokohama GB, our owners' community, and you'll regularly find us at Japanese-car shows, club meetings and other automotive events around the UK — usually with one of our own cars.
For me, selling a car isn't the end of the relationship.
If you'd like to know more about how TR imports UK started and why I chose to build this business, I've written the longer story here:
About TR Imports UK – Why I Started This Journey
Want to see what we actually do day to day?
You'll find plenty more of our workshop work, cars, events and everyday activity on Instagram and Facebook.
Rather than asking you to take our word for it, search for us and have a look around:
Instagram
@tomishiigb
@trimportsuk
@la400.copen.gb
Facebook
@tomonoriishii
@trimportsuk
If you find us and decide to follow, let me know you came from this page. It's always nice to know who's reading.
A quick note: social-media messages can sometimes disappear into spam or message-request folders. For vehicle enquiries, parts requests or anything important, please use the enquiry form on this website.
Of course, you don't have to take everything I've written on this page on trust.
Come and meet me. See the CERO for yourself, look through its paperwork, ask questions and take your time deciding whether it's the right car for you.
Book a Viewing
Take a closer look
You've heard enough from me. Now take a closer look at the car.
Still not sure?
That's perfectly understandable.
£17,990 is a significant amount of money to spend on a car you don't actually need. And this isn't an ordinary used car you can find at every dealer in the UK.
You don't need to make a decision just because you've reached the bottom of this page.
Instead, ask yourself one question:
What's stopping you?
Is it the price?
If £17,990 simply doesn't fit your budget, this particular Cero may not be the right Copen for you.
As we explained earlier, mileage has a significant effect on Copen prices in Japan. A simpler/higher-mileage Cero may bring the budget down considerably.
Or perhaps one of our other Copens would suit you better.
Is it the insurance?
Don't guess.
Get a quotation before deciding whether to buy the car. Brentacre already understands the LA400 Copen and gives quotations to our customers.
Get an Insurance Quote from Brentacre
Still not sure about the LA400 itself?
Perhaps you like the car, but you're still not sure whether an LA400 Copen is right for you.
We've written much more about the model, its different versions and why we believe it deserves a place in the UK.
Thinking of Buying the New Copen? Read This First
Are we simply too far away?
Talk to us before ruling the car out.
We can discuss the practicalities of a viewing, and if you decide to buy the car, UK-wide delivery is available at an additional cost through a vehicle transport specialist we trust.
Worried about servicing or parts after you've bought it?
Have another look at our Copen support section above, or ask us about your particular concern.
Go Back to Copen After-Sales Support
Still not sure about TR imports UK?
If you'd like to know more about who we are and why we do this, read the longer story behind TR imports UK.
You can also search for the social media accounts listed above and see what we're actually doing day-to-day.
About TR Imports UK – Why I Started This Journey
Is it simply not this Cero?
That's fine too.
Perhaps you want a different colour, transmission, mileage, specification — or a completely different version of the Copen.
Have a look at what we already have in the UK, or talk to us about finding the right one in Japan.
Something else?
If there's something you don't understand, something you're worried about, or simply something you'd like to check before making a decision, we'd rather you ask before buying the car.
One last check.
Before you leave this page, ask yourself:
Do I like this Copen?
Do I want it?
Does the budget work for me?
Have I checked the insurance?
Is there anything I still need to ask?
If you're ready:
Book a Viewing
Ask a Question
If this isn't the one:
View Other Copens
Find My Copen in Japan
UK-wide delivery available at an additional cost.
Thank you for reading this page.