My car was written off (on month 7 of ownership), with a finance bill still to settle, I'm not sure what my next steps are

Hi everyone

A couple of weeks ago, my BMW 3 Series (2012, 320d - diesel, I know) was written off by a distracted truck driver. The car was super low milage for the age and honestly, I got a good deal on it, minus a few snags which were dealt with quickly. I loved that car and I am heartbroken that it's gone.

I now have a £700 finance bill to settle, after my insurance decided that the car was worth less than I had left to pay (despite heavy disagreement), they went and settled it with my finance company anyway.

I have an Audi A4 Avant 35 TFSI 2024 for the next 10 weeks or so on hire. (its a horrible car)

I drive a lot of miles; around 240 a week to work and back down the UKs (first? second?) largest car park, the M6. From J10 to J2.

Once my finance is settled, I think I have a budget of around £9,000 on finance to replace my BMW. With the state of the world right now, I don't know whether to go diesel, petrol or just jack in the fuel completely and go electric, as my wife has just done. I've come to terms with the fact that getting another 320D is probably not an option, both on the finance point of view and world state view.

I just wondered if anyone who's been through this had any advice on where I should start looking now?

Looking for cars, especially reliable ones is a daunting task and one that I truely hate. I know for EVs to stay away from Stellantis and MG, but they seem to be the only ones within that budget, I've always thought that petrol would be way to inefficient for the commute I have but diesel is scarce and prices are going up rapidly, so I just don't know.

Thanks!