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.

5,189 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - Style 1.5 TSI 150ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£26,495

Finance available £524 pm

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (R) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

3.2L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Car Net UK Ltd

01935311825 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,149

Finance available £517 pm

2L
5.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£10,195

Finance available £205 pm

1.6L
81.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C&P Motors

02890022267 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
107.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Essex Car Store

01376319739 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) 1 OWNER

Reduced

£17,945

1.5L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AIR Cars

01616720432 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
21.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,899

Finance available £457 pm

1.5L
27.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI 5dr

£5,895

Finance available £109 pm

1.6L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cardiff Trade Cars

02920028847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,881

Finance available £64 pm

1.6L
94.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Peter Cooper Vehicle Trade Centre

01489661106 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOBAHN VEHICLE SALES

01234237572 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,380

Finance available £386 pm

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,657

1.5L
17.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,199

Finance available £329 pm

2L
53.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1993 - VOLKSWAGEN 1.8 CLIPPER KARMANN CONVERTIBLE * MODERN CLASSIC * FRESH IMPORT 2-Door

Low Mileage

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

1.8L
70.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,995

1.5L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Worksop

01909498746 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 3dr

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
83.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Loanhead Carsales Limited

01316034413 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Autos NI

02890023616 *

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 Present)

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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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