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.

5,228 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.6L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,119

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lodge Hill Garage Ltd

01865411815 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eastside Motors

01217288688 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps

£11,749

2L
67.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TFSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG (188 g/km, 198 bhp)

Reduced

£4,000

Finance available £67 pm

2L
143.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Beechwood Autos Ltd

01623709945 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
107.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£25,698

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), R Line, Bluemotion Tech, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manual, Euro

Low Mileage

£12,799

1.4L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,990

Finance available £241 pm

2L
95.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,241

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,749

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
14.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - CLIMATE

Low Mileage

£18,657

Finance available £371 pm

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£31,950

Finance available £636 pm

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
108.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf 5-Door

Reduced

£10,650

Finance available £216 pm

45.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Key Auto Trade

01233223707 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
91.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Harris Motor Group

01924942328 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,150

Finance available £137 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

£2,495

1.4L
128.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AR Cars

01254947703 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,498

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 2016)

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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