You've asked this forum what to buy, and even offered multiple choice, with 'Mondeo' as one of the options! Is this a test?
Usual advice when buying at this end of the market is to look at age and condition rather than mileage or badge, and to keep some cash in reserve in case something goes wrong. By extension, that also means choosing something that's easy and cheap to fix, and abundant on the market so you can be choosy.
All that says mass market, and probably Ford or Vauxhall - you'd probably get a newer Vectra for your money than a Mondeo. But I'm concerned that you're considering entrusting your drive to work - and with it, possibly, your livelihood - to an untried (by you) £1,000 banger. I commute 500 miles a week in a seven-year-old car, but only because it's grown old in my keeping. If it fell apart tomorrow I'd replace it with something new because I can't afford to be without it.
I admit I'm in a fortunate position, in that my job pays enough to make the commute worth the time and cost. If your situation is more marginal, wouldn't it be better to look for something closer to home rather than have to choose between safety and reliability?
My apologies if that comes across as condescending; that's the last thing I'd want. My situation came about because the supply of jobs locally had dried up, and now I'm established I'm moving myself and the family closer so we get more time together. That option may not be open to you, but consider as many as you can before throwing money at a car that may not give you what you need.
Or, to quote the Bottle Rockets:
If a thousand dollar car was really worth a damn
Then why would anybody ever spend ten grand?
Oh why did I ever buy a thousand dollar car?
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