I too would rule out Nissan.

I also am a user and fan of Toyota (wifey is a Subaru girl), but they can still get things wrong too, think MMT transmission = hopeless.

I also have a great respect for Honda, my daughter is a fan and none of her cars, which she drives hard over high mileage have let her down.

You are unlikely to have any issues with either an Toyota or Honda, so long as they've been looked after well, and this brake wise at least is where Toyota nudge ahead, because Toyota's service regime did (last time i looked) involve servicing the brakes properly every major service, ie every other year on average, not the case at Honda...not the be all and end all of course, and if you were a handy DIY chap then friction materials and even calipers can be bought quite cheaply these days, but something to keep in mind.

Honda parts can be eye wateringly expensive, couldn't get a new aftermarket fan belt for one of daughters Civics anywhere, genuine was some £42, which is frankly ridiculous when i can get a full cambelt kit for my Landcruiser for less than £100, Honda aircon seems to be a regular failing and expensive to fix (would have been £1500 on sons 13 plate CRV, fortunately under extended warranty), very seldom have i had to buy genuine parts from Toyota and so far it hasn't meant jaw dropping bills at the parts desk.

I like Kia/Hyundai products, but having seen under the odd used Ceed the amount of subframe/suspension corrosion and the odd way the rear caliper carriers were bolted in (could be a major headache re that corrosion) i'm not quite as convinced about long term ownership as i would be with the two Japanese makes...of course i may have seen particularly poor neglected examples.

Nothing wrong with automatic gearboxes, but keep them simple, preferably TC auto boxes,avoid automated manuals no matter how many clutches they boast...Toyota/Honda CVT's seem to be doing the business from what i read.

Petrol Mazdas are reliable and are as good to drive as Focuses, diesel versions have issues and are really only suited to long distance driving. As a Mazda car owner of 13 years, mine has been very reliable, although some parts (as with all cars) do wear out, and that manufacturer prices are higher than some makes, but not terrible.

I would say that overall, Toyotas (and Lexuses) are the most reliable, just ahead of Hondas (which cost more for maintenance but have better engines and handling), Mazda, KIA/Hyundai are quite similar, though the latter two (same company) have improved a lot in the last 10 years and whose sales are growing in step, helped by their best warranties. They also are getting better on the handling, comfort and performance, but it often depends upon the car and what you want out of it.

Mazda certainly has all the others in this group beaten on handling and styling, but their dealer network is, well, patchy at best in terms of quality (Ford-like - some good, some really bad, mainly on the service dept side). KIA/Hyundai are seemingly better and still improving, Honda and Toyota normally very good.

Nissan is a pale immitation of its former (pre Renault) self as regards reliability, with one or two exceptions, mainly the more basic models with less complex turbocharged engines and electronics. I used to own a mid 90s Micra (for nearly 8 years) and the main issue I had was (eventually) rust.

If I were you, I'd have a look over the Reviews section of this website across these makes for the cars of the era (new, used) you're looking for, as they indicate reliability, problems and good points (the Good & Bad subsections), as well as the owner reviews, which give scores and details about all aspects of ownership, including the dealership experience.

If you want reliability above all, buy a Toyota or a Honda. Just expect to pay extra for that, especially with new cars. Mazdas often can attract decent discounts over them (especially via brokers), KIA/Hyundai are very good on value too but both are starting to up prices because they want to go upmarket.