I don't think you should worry too much about the brand or model, all cars have 'common faults', but a good example of a 'poor' car will be better than a f**ked example of a 'better' car (if that makes sense). Buy on service history and reliability, that's all you want from a first car - for it to be reliable and not cost you time / money fixing it all the time. That sort of outlay will waayy outstrip it being 5mpg worse on fuel, a bit more for insurance / tax or whatever.
Also agree that 15 miles a day you want a petrol.
Edit:
And a short vid from last night, testing out my new home-made anti roll bars. Chuffing slippery conditions, the dark / floodlights and 14 (!) different types of tarmac made the track fairly 'interesting'...