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.

5,214 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf1996 (96) - 2.0 GTi Mk 3-3 Door-1 Owner From New-Just Over 9000 Miles From New-As New C

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Paul Mulford T/A AUTOPARK

01603978058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - PARK

Low Mileage

£14,657

Finance available £287 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,150

Finance available £48 pm

1.4L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peak Motors Limited

01663790344 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
31.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Medway bridge Marina Ltd

01634558838 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

John McHugh Car Sales

02881440370 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,950

Finance available £492 pm

1.4L
11.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DCX Car Sales

02890023222 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£21,999

Finance available £431 pm

2L
60.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Motorstore Bangor

02891638497 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - TSI GTI 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,940

Finance available £155 pm

2L
78.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

RB AUTOS SW LIMITED TA Bristol Car Centre

01172331345 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 - Gti 16V 3-Door

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.8L
147.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,340

Finance available £464 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cars2 Barnsley SEAT

01226449229 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,949

Finance available £245 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

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

Low Mileage

£37,980

Finance available £760 pm

2L
4.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilsons of Rathkenny Prestige

02821330027 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 5dr 1.5TSi EVO Match Automatic

Low Mileage

£15,295

1.5L
42.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,489

1.5L
13.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 GTD TDI BLUELINE DSG 5d 182 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
48.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,979

Finance available £369 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EVM Sports and Prestige

01613887697 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
37.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£18,700

1.5L
8.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

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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