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.

5,308 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,950

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£17,200

Finance available £287 pm

2L
30.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,475

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
94.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Leicester Car Centre Ltd

01164648301 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), SE Edition, Nav, Hatchback, 3 Door, Euro 6.

£9,999

1.4L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0TDI (115ps) Life Manual 5-Door

£24,000

2L
3.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

58.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Atherstone Garage

01827215683 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,000

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
48.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Hatch Match 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£21,000

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,372

Finance available £350 pm

1.5L
77.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,349

Finance available £314 pm

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,450

Finance available £379 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

HILLVIEW MOTORS Ltd

02890023629 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£44,499

2L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

2L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Fairfield Car Centre

01615196713 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,950

Finance available £312 pm

1L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,790

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£24,469

1.5L
14.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 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 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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