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.

5,259 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI 2.0 TSI 300ps ClubSport DSG Auto 2025 5-Door

Low Mileage

£44,500

Finance available £894 pm

2L
700.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GF Cars

02890023191 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
33.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,999

Finance available £303 pm

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£18,940

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,999

Finance available £285 pm

1.5L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£18,049

Finance available £373 pm

1.5L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£8,998

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MQAS CARS LTD

01254946245 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £360 pm

1L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Sportline Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,994

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

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

£3,950

Finance available £66 pm

1.6L
166.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NW Auto Sales LTD

01733794319 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO DSG Semi Auto 5-Door

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£34,991

2L
18.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 2.0 TSI (320ps) R 4Motion DSG Estate Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£35,490

Finance available £709 pm

2L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Car Sales Ltd

01772285710 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£19,698

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Huddersfield)

01484506234 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Auto

Reduced

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.4L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Birmingham Motors Ltd

01217525226 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,100

Finance available £114 pm

1.6L
73.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

CarsUnder3000

01268203496 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,950

2L
73.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Cars by Peter Cooper West End

02380017190 *

3.7/5 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 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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