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.

5,256 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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 Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Reduced

£7,290

Finance available £141 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,499

Finance available £101 pm

2L
119.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
67.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,469

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
50.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,249

Finance available £374 pm

2L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01482697731 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

Reduced

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FRM Car Sales

01922661912 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,490

Finance available £359 pm

2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Noble Motors

01256268407 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vollgas Automotive Ltd

01282509482 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,000

Finance available £273 pm

1.5L
58.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

£6,275

Finance available £118 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Vans Northwest Ltd

01942597950 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£18,400

Finance available £329 pm

1.5L
33.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

Low Mileage

£6,295

Finance available £118 pm

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GMC 2000

01134680586 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

Reduced

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Grimsby

01472494078 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£2,195

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

INFINITE VEHICLE SALES LTD

01773302789 *

Volkswagen GolfTSI HighLine BlueMotionTechnology

Reduced

£9,995

56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,485

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SERE Lisburn

02892791416 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Top Gear NI

02879440940 *

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 2016)

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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