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.

5,292 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,070

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

£9,679

Finance available £194 pm

42.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Luxxy Motors

02037803396 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,500

Finance available £397 pm

2L
21.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£8,367

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
97.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf GTD 5dr

£11,650

Finance available £238 pm

2L
73.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SKV Motors

01708202983 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£21,800

Finance available £427 pm

2L
48.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GS Car Centre Ltd

01772348161 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£11,700

1.5L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carnet Car Sales

02828440678 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG ++ DAB / BLUETOOTH / SENSORS / CLIMATE / ULEZ ++

Low Mileage

£11,770

Finance available £241 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
93.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,200

Finance available £482 pm

2L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
152.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eastwood Motor Sales Limited

01702410178 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr + MILLTEK EXHAUST UPGRADE

£34,991

2L
18.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,470

2L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,449

1.4L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

02039577378 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Newmachar Motors Ltd

01651260106 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£14,490

1.5L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,999

Finance available £372 pm

2L
39.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 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 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 3dr 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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