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.

5,260 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2006 (55) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

3.2L
109.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Good Value Cars

01202117023 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£14,949

1.5L
41.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

1.4L
32.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ballinderry Car Sales Limited

02892441046 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RM Traders

01780430645 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

3.2L
69.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A&A Auto Sales

01832778585 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Estate 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Atlantic Motors

01736806430 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (12) - GTI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Velocity Auto Sales Ltd

01932559041 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MEBTRONIC LTD

01733666891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£14,995

2L
49.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

2.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£24,726

Finance available £541 pm

2L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,795

Finance available £308 pm

1.5L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MANOR MOTORS CAR SALES LIMITED

01977809391 *

Volkswagen GolfTDI Match

Low Mileage

£2,298

75.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Blackwood Used Car Ltd

02890021467 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,999

Finance available £493 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

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

Reduced

£17,499

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

GDH Car Sales

01403330806 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
158.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,395

1L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,498

1.5L
2.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Perth Vauxhall/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/Leapmotor

01738230558 *

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 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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