The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,258 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.5L
90.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,999

Finance available £411 pm

2L
50.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BCPerformance

01453705159 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,929

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,249

Finance available £312 pm

1.5L
40.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Match Edition Tsi Bluemotion Dsg

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.4L
50.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (184 ps)

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hartlepool Motor Company Ltd

01429807308 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£30,990

Finance available £616 pm

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,732

1.5L
22.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£20,737

1.5L
18.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf(22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Style EVO

£18,291

35.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Worlingham Motor Company

01502441250 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,429

Finance available £269 pm

1.6L
33.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - HEATED S

Low Mileage

£19,361

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,010

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
8.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,395

Finance available £419 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Top Gear NI

02879440940 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 GTI CLUBSPORT S 3d 306 BHP 3-Door

Reduced

£29,500

Finance available £586 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 2.0 TSI R Cabriolet DSG Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cotswolds Cars and Commercials Ltd

07860560059 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11) - Golf Gti 5-Door

£7,550

Finance available £146 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Trades

02039375129 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (55) - DSG GTI 5-Door

Reduced

£5,795

Finance available £107 pm

2L
73.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mayfield Garage

01435518133 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2020)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2009 to 2016)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.2 - 2
MPG:: 33 - 74
Acceleration:: 5.5 - 13.9 seconds
Boot space:: 250 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.2 TSI S 2dr
Cheapest
1.4 S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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