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.

5,190 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

1.6L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Nice Car Company

01692666247 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£14,795

Finance available £308 pm

2L
85.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motoring Way LTD

01633742355 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
39.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Prestige Motors NI

02890026900 *

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

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vantage Auto House Ltd

01633742374 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - TSI Match 5-Door

Reduced

£21,999

Finance available £479 pm

1.5L
911.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Amayr Car Sales

02920028833 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£22,792

2L
37.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,679

Finance available £343 pm

1L
11.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£29,998

2L
39.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MSR PRESTIGE LTD

01254919241 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bedford Specialist Cars

01234987621 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TDI GT 150PS DSG Esta Automatic 5-Door

£20,490

Finance available £400 pm

2L
8.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,990

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,990

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£19,950

1.5L
19.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro

£19,995

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Norton Way Honda

01462412594 *

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

Low Mileage

£16,000

Finance available £335 pm

2L
59.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,988

Finance available £290 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
44.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ross Car Sales

01792001616 *

4.2/5 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 (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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