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.

5,140 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,437

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Newcastle

01916070581 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,200

Finance available £324 pm

2L
52.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

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

£19,998

1.5L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volvo (Inverness)

01463218772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
83.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

WMGB

01278550715 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,499

Finance available £487 pm

2L
32.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

2L
99.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

CLYDEBANK CAR SALES LTD

01412601334 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,796

Finance available £530 pm

2L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kingsbridge

01904237124 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,595

Finance available £58 pm

1.6L
134.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

EMPEROR MOTORS LTD

01992367158 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,895

1.4L
117.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FSA Car Sales

01706396575 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,749

Finance available £218 pm

1.4L
67.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARS YARD

02039577371 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (06) - 1.9 TDI GOAL EDITION 5DR LEFT HAND DRIVE LHD UK REGISTERED

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.9L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Car Showroom Ltd

01895548158 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,750

Finance available £508 pm

2L
8.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Style ETSI MHEV Dsg 5DR Hatch Petrol hybrid

Low Mileage

£18,789

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

MSR PRESTIGE LTD

01254919241 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI MATCH 5-Door

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
51.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kerr Baillie Ltd

01294469124 *

Volkswagen Golf2002 (02) - 20v turbo

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.8L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

The Cornish Car Co

01208222378 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift R-Line 1.5TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door

£24,990

1.5L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

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 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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