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.

5,445 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - LIFE TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,200

Finance available £277 pm

2L
67.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£14,199

1.4L
62.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Blackburn Peugeot

01254947584 *

4.5/5 Stars

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 Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr DSG

£9,280

Finance available £185 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NT Traders Limited

02037639054 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,000

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
72.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MIDLANDS AUTOHAUS LIMITED

01164646024 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Beechwood Autos Ltd

01623709945 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - R DSG 5-Door

£14,900

Finance available £311 pm

2L
84.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RGS CARS LIMITED

01403331258 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£21,500

Finance available £421 pm

2L
32.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Beck Evans

02037803374 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£13,895

1.5L
50.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - TDI GTD Hatchback 2.0 Automatic Diesel 5-Door

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
63.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Harpers Cumbria

01228273201 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.4L
17.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Vehicle Vault

01325522660 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
68.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SR Motors

01793268063 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150PS) R-Line DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,199

2L
7.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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

£17,299

Finance available £335 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AB Car Sales (South West) Ltd

01822661594 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Style 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door Manual

£21,490

1.5L
12.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
28.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

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

£8,279

Finance available £163 pm

2L
84.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

TSP Cars And Commercials

01616944307 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

2L
85.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Roy Hanna Motors

02894338774 *

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 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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