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.

5,311 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£21,298

2L
16.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 Petrol (TSI), Automatic (DSG), EVO, GPF, R-Line, Hatchback, 5 Door, Man

£13,499

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Style EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£23,059

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£7,995

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wheels In Motion Sherborne

01935311739 *

0/5 Stars

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

£21,999

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.4 TSI ( 245ps ) DSG 2022MY GTE 5-Door

Reduced

£21,793

1.4L
20.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - LED - HE

£18,785

Finance available £373 pm

1.5L
29.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,698

1L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION

Low Mileage

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£32,399

2L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf R 4WD 3dr

£9,995

2L
100.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nathan Cottam Ltd

01492551908 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTE 1.5 TSI (272ps) DSG Ã¢ Panoramic Sunroof Ã¢ 5-Door

Low Mileage

£32,444

Finance available £618 pm

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,480

1L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO GT 5-Door

£12,000

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
68.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Avenue Cars of Gloucester Ltd

01452227348 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 5dr

£6,250

Finance available £117 pm

1.6L
87.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Fred Steele Commercials & Cars

01312025181 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

31.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,478

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Nissan Widnes

01515417897 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECH AUTO ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Roundstone Car Sales

01903944818 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

Low Mileage

£13,395

1L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

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 (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 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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