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.

5,257 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,684

1.5L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Morpeth

01670333531 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Hunters

01621733521 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech S 5dr

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.4 DSG SE 122 AUTOMATIC ULEZ 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,649

Finance available £518 pm

2L
22.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birmingham

01217525223 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - R-LINE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,450

Finance available £301 pm

2L
57.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - TSI GTI Clubsport 5-Door

£42,995

Finance available £863 pm

2L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Riviera Automotive Ltd

01274505967 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(59) - 2.0 TSI GTI Euro 5 3dr

Low Mileage

£6,690

Finance available £127 pm

90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

AUTOMOTIVE PRESTIGE LTD

01162162548 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£20,299

Finance available £431 pm

2L
50.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI R 2dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

D M Keith Select Bradford

01274089129 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,391

1.5L
12.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£22,490

Finance available £441 pm

1.4L
29.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
149.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GM Car Sales

08081686396 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) 1 Previous

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,250

Finance available £498 pm

2L
25.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bournemouth Cars

01202051971 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

One Stop Motors Dewsbury

01924665170 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - MK8 Facelift Life 1.5 TSI 150PS Estate 5 Dr

Reduced

£23,980

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Active 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£19,775

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£25,998

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 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 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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