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.

5,256 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,950

Finance available £369 pm

2L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Revitupukcom

01244268811 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£27,740

2L
11.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,598

2L
79.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vehicle Trade Centre Ayr

01292430591 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,784

Finance available £196 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

K W Motors Ltd

01727648035 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,218

Finance available £598 pm

2L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Graham Motors

02881442140 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,399

Finance available £255 pm

1.6L
51.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£27,000

2L
17.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BINCA

01525307120 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£14,361

Finance available £280 pm

2L
48.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,000

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
54.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 5-Door

£2,495

1.6L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HLX Performance LTD

01202007783 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Golf Match TSi Evo 5dr

Reduced

£10,800

Finance available £219 pm

1.5L
80.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Blackbird Crossroads Motors

01164646069 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.4L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

£2,500

2L
177.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

4motion Cars

01733977717 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£22,998

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
14.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Newcastle BYD

01916071118 *

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

Low Mileage

£22,995

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Essex Car Group

01277286584 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£33,400

Finance available £587 pm

2L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 19.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6

£30,000

Finance available £551 pm

1.5L
7.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Reduced

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

14.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

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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