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.

5,228 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,299

Finance available £375 pm

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,000

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Final Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.9L
93.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EASICARS LTD

02039577421 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£22,490

Finance available £441 pm

1.4L
29.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£25,998

1.5L
740.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
56.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 TSI 160 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£4,250

Finance available £73 pm

1.4L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Buy It Now Auctions

01698537457 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Wagon/Estate Automatic 5-Door

Reduced

£5,650

Finance available £104 pm

1.2L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

NS Auto Trading Ltd

02039577375 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,199

Finance available £486 pm

2L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - Avantgarde 2.0 Auto 2-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
125.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Townsends of Rugby Ltd

01788221946 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

2L
34.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Kirkcaldy)

01592808074 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 3-Door

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Llanfoist Car Sales

01873771886 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (12) - GTI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Velocity Auto Sales Ltd

01932559041 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£10,895

Finance available £221 pm

1.6L
59.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD AUTOMATIC Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
73.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bellboy Cars

01477410105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,195

Finance available £205 pm

1L
57.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Taurus Autos LTD

01162165649 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,990

1.5L
100.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£15,995

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

3.3/5 Stars

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 Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,484

Finance available £190 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

K W Motors Ltd

01727648035 *

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 Present)

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 (2016 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 / 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

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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