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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,790

1.6L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

UK WHEELS LIMITED

02039537447 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
54.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Todds of Campsie

02871220972 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,555

1.5L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R-Line 1.5 TSI EVO 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£17,427

1.5L
38.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI R Black Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333

£44,537

2L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Enkae Prestige Motors

01484240747 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GT 3-Door

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£14,797

Finance available £296 pm

1.5L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150PS) R-Line DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£21,739

Finance available £426 pm

2L
28.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,784

Finance available £219 pm

1.5L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

New Street Car Centre

01952967003 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 p

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opulent Motors

01332325480 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Roadside Motors

02838298746 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,375

1.5L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,499

Finance available £257 pm

1L
42.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Devine Cars

02890023226 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£25,845

Finance available £510 pm

2L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DH Specialist Cars Ltd ta Vogue Auto Group

01623703388 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,681

1.5L
16.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£12,795

Finance available £274 pm

1.5L
54.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
93.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Attenborough Cars

01302249082 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

2L
57.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 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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