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.

5,205 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£20,300

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£37,490

1.4L
825.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,470

Finance available £367 pm

1.4L
46.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,990

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.4L
142.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars of Kinson

01202001903 *

2.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 Golf Match Edition TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
64.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Berrow Motors

01278554025 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,998

2L
33.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore / BYD (Linwood)

01414736404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£30,620

2L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,195

Finance available £272 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,290

2L
18.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone MINI Doncaster

01302972558 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,459

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,884

1.5L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£19,899

Finance available £409 pm

1.5L
47.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - GTE ADVANCE DSG - REVERSE CAMERA - LANE ASSIST -KEYLESS -WINTER PACK -LEDS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
33.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

2L
78.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

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

£4,490

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dedicated Motor Company Ltd

01709913919 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,349

1.4L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

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.

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