First car – preliminary consultation

Hello together, I am male and 28 years old and am currently driving my driver’s license (yes, I am very late. However, the reasons for this should not be discussed here ) Now, of course, the first car should be here soon. However, since the car purchase is only due in two to three months, I still have enough time to look around and inform me in detail on the market. Therefore, I do not ask you here for a specific purchase advice alá “This offer is great. Sc hlage zu!”, but rather need help with the general choice in terms of manufacturer, model, engine and year of construction. So in which direction should I observe the market. I also need at the same time hints, what I have to pay attention to with the proposed models. Rust, tooth grate, changed wear parts or or or or. Vorneweg: I am not fixed to any manufacturer. I am more pragmatic about this, and put the practical advantages over every brand discussion. Here are the basic data, what I expect from my car: I will also drive to work with the car. My job can vary the places of employment. I guess on average, however, it should keep the balance with highway and city traffic at 50:50. I estimate mileage at 15k to 20k kilometers a year. Can you recommend something here already, and what do I have to pay attention to? Thanks already for your help Gruss