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.

5,136 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
118.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Bargain Cars and Vans

01213872408 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,994

Finance available £313 pm

2L
60.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG Auto

Reduced

£15,900

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
33.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Bridgend Ford

01656336637 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Preseli Car Sales

01834820915 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£26,990

2L
25.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Auto MC Limited TA Automotive Cars

01535280995 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£12,479

1.4L
63.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Stockton

01642049066 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£25,998

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

£37,800

2L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 - 1.8 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,500

1.8L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Desborough Car Company

01536211993 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,921

1.5L
40.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Peugeot Cambridge

01223622672 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.5L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,380

Finance available £232 pm

1L
48.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£21,800

Finance available £427 pm

2L
48.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GS Car Centre Ltd

01772348161 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 3.2 V6 R32 Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion (257 g/km, 247 bhp)

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

3.2L
121.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - R Tsi 5-Door

£15,920

2L
72.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 TDI Sport 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

2L
119.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

IAC Cars Ltd

01962670201 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG Auto

£16,763

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Blackburn

01254781192 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr Man, diesel, black + zero road tax

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
54.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JTC Motors LTD

01752423585 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Norton Car Sales Limited

01616720268 *

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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