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 Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,494

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 Golf R-Line Edition TSi Evo 5dr

£15,490

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Churchs Performance Cars

01403331228 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,449

Finance available £335 pm

1L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI GT EVO 150PS 5Dr

Low Mileage

£15,569

1.5L
17.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,700

Finance available £194 pm

1.6L
21.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Finance Carshop Limited Leicester

01164646052 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,195

1L
37.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Life EVO

£16,443

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 3dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
72.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Motors

02881440371 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,299

Finance available £275 pm

1.6L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MW MOTOR GROUP LTD

01164784157 *

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 Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,083

2L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

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 Life 5dr

£16,079

Finance available £327 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01273121210 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,994

Finance available £89 pm

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TMB Van Sales

01618042445 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,499

Finance available £369 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,989

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
131.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Investments UK Ltd

01162165682 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,500

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,499

Finance available £249 pm

1L
57.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01273121210 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Reduced

£34,500

Finance available £595 pm

2L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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 (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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