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.

5,312 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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 Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,794

Finance available £308 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Chelmsford

01245678425 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

Low Mileage

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
96.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SR Motors

01793268063 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£11,449

Finance available £226 pm

1.5L
64.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

02039092092 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,290

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,249

Finance available £334 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hounslow Cars Ltd

02039537374 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

One Class Auto Ltd

02038730354 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,298

1.5L
9.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

1.4L
42.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 2.0 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

£1,990

2L
174.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£38,990

Finance available £780 pm

2L
5.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150PS) R-Line DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£21,490

2L
28.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Golf Match Edition TSi BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£8,499

Finance available £168 pm

1L
79.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Dayles Ltd

01206355498 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,789

Finance available £129 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 2.0T GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£5,000

Finance available £89 pm

2L
119.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MotorZone

01536211985 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,950

Finance available £471 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stringers of Petersfield

01730779314 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,480

Finance available £359 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

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 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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