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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£7,890

Finance available £154 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Value Car Centre

01603512116 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

Reduced

£44,450

Finance available £893 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
50.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Run About Autos LTD

01756636620 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Auto Trade Spot Limited

01494312165 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 3.2 R32 Hatchback 5dr Petrol Ulez

Reduced

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

3.2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£17,000

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105300 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
61.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors

02879440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,400

Finance available £481 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£3,799

Finance available £63 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

NJ Vehicle Solutions

01172331369 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
128.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - Automatic vw golf 1.4 petrol 5 door hatchback

Low Mileage

£5,900

Finance available £109 pm

1.4L
50.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£31,800

Finance available £548 pm

2L
11.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£7,475

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Village Autosales NI

02890026938 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life Manual

Low Mileage

£16,650

1L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£12,804

1L
66.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,150

Finance available £338 pm

1L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GM Car Sales

08081686396 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr +P/ROOF + IQ + DCC + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£33,990

Finance available £678 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Today Ltd TA Vans Today

01905947741 *

4.8/5 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 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

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