Young drivers are turning grey.(News)

Byline: By Wales on Sunday

Grey imports are alive and well and being snapped up by yesterday's boy racers, according to a big insurance broker.

Youngsters who cut their motoring teeth by souping up second-hand superminis are graduating into high performance grey imports from Japan and the USA because they cost less than the equivalent cars bought second-hand through a franchised dealer.

That's the finding of high street insurance broker Swinton which has seen an 18 per cent hike in demand for quotes on grey imports in the last year.

As a result the company is launching Swinton Specialist with a dedicated team to handle the upsurge in customers seeking quotes for non-standard motor insurance.

Neil Ackinclose, head of Swinton Specialist, says: 'Grey, performance and modified cars have never been more popular in the UK. The internet has opened up the international car market to UK buyers.'

But it's not just yesterday's boy racers who are snapping-up imports according to Swinton, which says it has seen a resurgence of men and women in their 20s making the most of low interest rates to buy specialist cars.

'We continue to see growing interest from the younger end of the market, where customers have high disposable incomes and credit is easily obtainable,' says Neil Ackinclose. 'Grey imports lend themselves excellently to this market, especially when prices can start for as little as pounds 2,000.' Top 10 grey imports: 1. Nissan Skyline (Japan)

2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Japan)

3. Subaru Impreza (Japan)

4. Toyota Supra (Japan)

5. Mazda RX7 (Japan)

6. Mazda MX5 Eunos (Japan)

7. Honda Integra (Japan)

8. Mitsubishi Pajero (Japan)

9. Cadillac EXT (USA)

10. Ford Mustang (USA)