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.

5,301 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.5L
127.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Chigwell Motors Ltd

02038051077 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£24,559

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Estate

Low Mileage

£19,990

1L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,199

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSi EVO (130 PS) SE Navigation 5 Door Petrol Hatchback Automatic

Low Mileage

£15,390

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Luton

01582211307 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,998

2L
11.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (Bishopbriggs)

01414736414 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,990

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Woods New Forest Ltd

01590637902 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

2L
73.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 3-Door

£14,499

Finance available £302 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Joseph David Simm Ltd

01670339826 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,699

Finance available £453 pm

1.5L
27.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

1.6L
28.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

£31,998

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,900

Finance available £177 pm

1.4L
83.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

OLDOAKCARSALE LTD

02039537432 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£4,925

Finance available £88 pm

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 1.9 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Final Edition 5-Door

£2,995

1.9L
160.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Trade Sales Bodmin

01208221184 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - C

Low Mileage

£14,010

Finance available £273 pm

1.6L
25.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

O'Kane Cars

02879440619 *

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 Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,049

Finance available £413 pm

1.5L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 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 (2016 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 / 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

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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