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.

5,385 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,298

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Linwood Seat / Skoda / Cupra

01414736420 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£51,000

2L
521.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,249

Finance available £575 pm

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£27,750

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,200

Finance available £332 pm

2L
38.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£35,995

2L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark MINI Tayside

01382238683 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Golf Match Edition TSi Evo Semi-Auto 5dr

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
23.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTyne

01916076035 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - GTI TSI DSG 5-Door

£24,775

Finance available £488 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMV

01634564263 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 150 GT BLUEMOTION EURO 6 5-Door

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
143.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ex Police Car Centre

01384881231 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.2L
111.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Masons Car Sales

01708202977 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Reduced

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£25,458

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£12,980

Finance available £268 pm

32.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

2L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Benmarks Motors Limited

01482249281 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,999

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Kings Norton

01217288857 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£13,589

1.5L
86.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,000

Finance available £268 pm

1L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,685

Finance available £60 pm

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Excellent Cars

01143994238 *

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

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Country Lodge Cars

01594809269 *

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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