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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£14,699

Finance available £297 pm

2L
65.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01312874330 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) / FINANCE FRO

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Parkland Motors

01509276004 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

£20,796

1.5L
17.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£22,999

1.5L
16.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,290

1.5L
44.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Keywise Cars Ltd

01392344397 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,698

1.5L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (Bishopbriggs)

01414736414 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£12,144

1.6L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Cheltenham

01452227297 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£11,349

Finance available £224 pm

1.5L
72.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£17,279

1.5L
50.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£8,999

1.4L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Haydon Car Sales

01793268767 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,499

Finance available £401 pm

1.4L
13.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Paul Mulford T/A AUTOPARK

01603978058 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£26,990

2L
25.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Auto MC Limited TA Automotive Cars

01535280995 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£33,813

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,299

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3-Door

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

2L
82.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lodge Hill Garage Ltd

01865411815 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,498

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,350

Finance available £459 pm

2L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

North Loop Autohaus

01527911876 *

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 2020)

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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