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 Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5-Door

£13,550

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oakley Car Sales

01536235646 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI GT Diesel Manual 5 Door Hatchback Grey

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swans Motor Group LTD

01603516692 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,610

Finance available £287 pm

2L
59.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - GTD 2.0 TDI 200PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£24,191

2L
28.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£32,995

Finance available £657 pm

2L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TF Car Sales Ltd

01455241626 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£11,698

1L
61.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Stoke-on-Trent Vauxhall / Vanstore

01782432080 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£15,491

1.5L
35.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 (H) - 1.8 GL 5dr [4+E]

Low Mileage

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

1.8L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandygate Cars Ltd

01282509458 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

1.4L
52.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - e-Golf 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,200

Finance available £206 pm

36.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Road Garage Limited

01462412936 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£24,000

Finance available £524 pm

2L
45.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Norwich

01603337183 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 5dr 1.5 eTSi R-Line DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£21,495

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Frosts Used Cars Shoreham-by-Sea

01273093609 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

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

Low Mileage

£17,298

1.5L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,778

Finance available £263 pm

2L
54.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MF Motors LTD

01733666879 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,990

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,490

Finance available £301 pm

1.5L
45.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£9,595

Finance available £192 pm

1.4L
85.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Millennium Motors Ltd

01616720328 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Norton Automotive

01296325323 *

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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