First Car Recommendations

Hi all, new user and first time buyer here.

Since I've got a job that required reasonable travel, I'm on the look out to purchase my first car yet I have no idea what to look for.

I will be travelling 50 miles to-fro work on the motorway or A-roads, plus the odd urban miles socially. My budget for just the car is max £2,000 though ideally around the £1,500 and hope to buy from a private seller.

Insurance wise - I'm 26 years old and have been a named driver on someone else's insurance for 2 years.

So what makes/models should I look for? Would a 1.9 engine be sufficient?

I was thinking about the VW Golf 1.9 TDI but then what years should I avoid? Also, would a VW SDI (1999) be too weak?

Thanks in advance.