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.

5,065 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

£36,093

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,875

Finance available £64 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Barnyard Trade Cars Limited

01788227357 *

2.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

Reduced

£8,949

Finance available £178 pm

1.4L
70.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor World MCR LTD

01616944305 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£14,499

1.4L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
63.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 184 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
64.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelchair Cars Ltd

01613887630 *

5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£22,790

Finance available £448 pm

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
92.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Advantage Vehicles Limited

01270297248 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£34,990

Finance available £698 pm

2L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Switch Limited

01706391429 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£18,998

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Bolton)

01204324180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 GT Edition 5dr

Reduced

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

1.6L
85.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M & N

01908767437 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,216

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

£19,708

2L
25.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,095

Finance available £331 pm

1.4L
53.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£11,990

1.5L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,698

2L
34.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,960

Finance available £245 pm

2L
103.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swan Car Brokers

01592802385 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,900

1.5L
12.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Darlington Renault

01325527849 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,800

Finance available £314 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

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 5dr 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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