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.

5,203 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf(15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,990

66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Howard Dean Car Sales Ltd

02038731433 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Sales B33

01217288818 *

Volkswagen Golf1.4L PETROL GOLF TOURAN TSI

Low Mileage

£5,400

Finance available £98 pm

59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SG MOTORHOUSE LTD

01992669367 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - MATCH TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 3-Door

Reduced

£6,693

Finance available £127 pm

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cjs autos ltd

01454803082 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,999

Finance available £525 pm

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Manchester

01614139868 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,895

1.4L
21.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GT 2.0 TDI BMT 140PS 6-speed DSG Automatic 2-Door

Low Mileage

£13,717

2L
23.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Convertible

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
38.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lennox Auto Limited

02039484608 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,900

1.5L
12.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Darlington Renault

01325527849 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Carnet

01234237527 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,199

Finance available £406 pm

2L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,650

Finance available £193 pm

1.4L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oxford Automotive

01865599168 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,328

Finance available £280 pm

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Moy Auto Services

02887448024 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Moonstone Grey Eu

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
75.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Brooklands Cars

01536211977 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,999

Finance available £591 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

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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