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.

5,268 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£31,898

2L
15.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Corvette / Maserati / LUXE

01414049937 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - GTI Clubsport 40 2.0 TSI 5dr DSG for sale

Low Mileage

£24,850

Finance available £490 pm

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

WFergusonCarSales

01697325138 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE (Nav) 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,240

1.4L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

2L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,999

2L
30.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,950

1.5L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Windmill Motors Ltd

01778308209 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£11,895

Finance available £243 pm

1L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,595

1.6L
93.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Thirsk

01845444057 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£24,191

2L
38.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Barnsley Vauxhall

01226449228 *

4.5/5 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 Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
63.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,298

1.5L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (Bishopbriggs)

01414736414 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£31,698

2L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£9,297

2L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - MATCH EDITION TSI DSG BMT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,450

Finance available £245 pm

1.4L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Quirks Car Company

01268590066 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
10.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Central Service Garage

01302246765 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,290

Finance available £74 pm

1.4L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

VALENTINO MOTORS LTD

02039375355 *

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 2020)

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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