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.

5,320 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr 184

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
103.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
72.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
102.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lennox Auto Limited

02039484608 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,798

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,699

Finance available £366 pm

2L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£21,492

1.5L
18.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
88.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Large Motor Company

01635885044 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£25,230

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Exeter

01392342522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
32.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

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

Low Mileage

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

Reduced

£7,985

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
106.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,250

Finance available £274 pm

1.4L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Metro Cars London Ltd

01494937543 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,310

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TMMC The Manchester Motor Company Ltd

01204324191 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Reduced

£20,492

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

2L
86.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5-Door

£17,897

Finance available £362 pm

1.5L
48.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£13,100

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
69.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 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 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 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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