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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) ONLY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

1.4L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandford Garage

01779401060 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - GTD 2.0 TDI AUTOMATIC 5-Door

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Carlisle

01228273207 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,600

Finance available £362 pm

1.5L
32.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,490

Finance available £279 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grand Motors Stockport Ltd

01614139892 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

2L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

All Cars Group Ta ACG Motors

01613887664 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr MANUAL

£21,490

1.5L
13.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,980

1.5L
2.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
81.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALPINE MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED

01382238351 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf R 4WD 3dr

£9,995

2L
100.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nathan Cottam Ltd

01492551908 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,494

2L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-LINE 5DR DSG

Low Mileage

£17,318

2L
29.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Brayley Nissan Stourbridge

01384881193 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£15,000

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£21,112

Finance available £458 pm

2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£11,890

Finance available £238 pm

1.4L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,062

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,290

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
47.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£10,695

Finance available £217 pm

1.6L
71.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,990

2L
13.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

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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