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.

5,421 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,225

Finance available £354 pm

1.4L
42.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

TMMC The Manchester Motor Company Ltd

01204324191 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,899

1.6L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

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

£6,494

Finance available £123 pm

2L
130.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C M Car Sales

01773303785 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £346 pm

2L
25.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,969

Finance available £411 pm

1.4L
20.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Store Northampton

01604343556 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£25,556

2L
24.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.6L
148.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bourne Valley Autos

01264311668 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Life EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£17,800

1.5L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£13,497

Finance available £279 pm

2L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

REVS (automotive) Limited

01205332693 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

2L
38.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ms Car Sales Cuper

01334800426 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,190

1.5L
36.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FJ Chalke Nissan Wincanton

01963400995 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£21,200

Finance available £367 pm

2L
54.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£17,099

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.4L
10.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£34,990

Finance available £698 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,699

Finance available £239 pm

2L
56.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,790

2L
120.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lancashire Autos LTD

01254457567 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

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 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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