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.

5,069 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen GolfSE 1.0 TSI 115PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£16,150

1L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
79.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Tickhill Trade Cars

01302246799 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

£35,995

Finance available £719 pm

2L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,690

Finance available £304 pm

2L
33.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.8/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£16,270

2L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
105.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Signature Autos

01313226275 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£18,783

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bennett Renault Leeds

01134680623 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - (74 Reg) 2.0TSI Black Edition 4Motion Semi Auto 5-Door

£41,990

2L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Acklam Cars

01642573603 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

£31,509

2L
9.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£14,164

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
59.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,850

Finance available £453 pm

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Luton

01582211307 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Style 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,083

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£14,350

1.6L
25.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall SKODA Northampton

01604343534 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 Tdi Bluemotion Tech S Hatchback 5-Door

Reduced

£4,975

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01217285878 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch GTE 1.5 TSI 272ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door Auto

Low Mileage

£36,868

1.5L
1.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MOTOR TREND LTD

01494296076 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) - PADD

Low Mileage

£31,081

Finance available £631 pm

2L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,541

1.5L
21.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4/5 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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