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.

5,356 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,895

Finance available £87 pm

1.6L
83.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Lane Cars Ltd

01942559253 *

Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Golf Gtd Tdi S-a 5-Door

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
78.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlby Motors Limited

01507304264 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,099

Finance available £262 pm

1.6L
33.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,900

Finance available £355 pm

2L
52.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£17,799

Finance available £368 pm

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,599

Finance available £451 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO PAN ROOF

£23,390

1.5L
9.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,492

1.5L
6.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

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

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £284 pm

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (52) - 2.3 VR5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,950

Finance available £66 pm

2.3L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tudor Prestige Ltd

01733797069 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,289

Finance available £396 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,195

Finance available £415 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,750

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

PMA CARS

02890026896 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BEN HODGSON CARS LTD

01228273236 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

32.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TSI Match Edition 5-Door

£11,295

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£25,490

25.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£11,000

1.4L
58.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£23,253

2L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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