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.

5,188 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

3.2L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.2 TSI S DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

IBRA CARS LTD

01163668353 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

Reduced

£2,495

2L
165.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 5d 109 BHP (ULEZ compliant) 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
114.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Priceless Auto Services Ltd

01606535830 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Auto

£15,531

1.4L
53.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,595

Finance available £58 pm

1.2L
92.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,698

2L
31.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Stoke on Trent)

01782432704 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Leeds Motor Company (Commercial Road)

01134676267 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,498

2L
15.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall/Jeep/Alfa Romeo (Linwood)

01414736412 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,400

Finance available £277 pm

2L
62.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
39.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Autospec UK

01698538871 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (K) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
35.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motoring Way LTD

01633742355 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Low Mileage

£10,899

Finance available £221 pm

2L
33.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pine Lodge Cars

01948805118 *

4.3/5 Stars

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 Golf2020 (20) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£9,679

Finance available £194 pm

42.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Luxxy Motors

02037803396 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£19,135

2L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,900

Finance available £238 pm

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Reduced

£2,000

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CARZ

02039537440 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) Matrix LED Headl

Reduced

£24,990

Finance available £493 pm

2L
24.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 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 Present)

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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