After a graduate lands their first professional job and begins receiving a regular wage, one of the most important purchases a graduate can make is a new automobile. Even if a graduate lives near work and can commute by public transportation, having even the most basic economy-sized vehicle is important for business trips, holidays, and getting around town. Graduates should consider the purchase of an automobile not only an important purchase for their convenience but a financial investment akin to purchasing land or a home. However, graduates may worry about paying for their automobile, automobile insurance, and necessary maintenance over the long term. Finding an inexpensive vehicle is becoming easier for graduates in the United Kingdom, with international car companies providing cheap vehicle choices for this generation of graduates.

Companies like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai have been creating reliable vehicles for young professionals throughout the world for the last decade. These three companies, along with European and North American car companies, have increased the level of competition in the auto industry by developing fuel efficient vehicles for those aware of environmental and economic issues. Graduate professionals looking for an entry level car for their daily auto needs should consider the small economy vehicles like the Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit, which are aerodynamic, fuel efficient, and deceptively spacious. The main considerations for graduates looking for an inexpensive automobile are obviously price, fuel efficiency, and safety. The new generation of smaller cars is competing for top honors in all three categories.

Other factors that factor into a graduate professional's purchase of an automobile expand beyond price and safety. The cargo space in an automobile is particularly important for graduates who have jobs where they car pool with colleagues and have presentation materials to transport. Smaller cars are advantageous to graduate professionals because parking at office buildings and apartments can be tight and diminutive vehicles work better in the crowded streets of the United Kingdom. The type of vehicle can influence the price of car insurance, with flashier sports cars drawing high insurance rates and safe economy sized cars requiring lower insurance premiums. Finally, graduate professionals in the market for a vehicle need to study the level of customer service and mechanic reliability of the dealership's mechanic service. Graduates purchasing a vehicle need to consider their automobile an investment and a reliable long term service plan through a dealership is a way of protecting that investment.