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.

5,322 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - VW GOLF GTI GTD 2.0 DIESEL MANUAL 5 DOOR

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Not Supplied

MJD LTD T/A Carbrooke Cars

01953661455 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

£28,995

2L
5.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Cabriolet Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI 130PS Style EVO DSG

£17,991

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1.6L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Prestige Cars Ireland

02890026873 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,498

1.4L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Kilmarnock)

01563591754 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£16,300

Finance available £288 pm

1.5L
43.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£35,648

2L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bedford Specialist Cars

01234987621 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
45.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5-Door

£17,497

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Stoke

01782432938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2d 104 BHP 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

D & J Autos Ltd

01525300684 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Auto Euro 5 (s/s) (150

Low Mileage

£12,175

Finance available £250 pm

2L
37.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Birkdale Cars Limited

01695661973 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,549

Finance available £362 pm

1L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£15,895

1.5L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Canterbury Vauxhall

01227203980 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (2

£18,000

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
40.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - R Tsi Dsg 5-Door

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
77.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Meridian Motors Limited

01506376846 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,698

1L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 5dr 1.5 TSi 150 Style

Low Mileage

£25,995

1.5L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Used Cars Shoreham-by-Sea

01273093609 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 3dr 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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