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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£23,419

1.4L
20.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,898

2L
16.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Corvette / LUXE

01414049937 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.6 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,300

1.6L
150.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Horsepower Motor Centre Ltd

01732927681 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Whyte Croft Car Sales Ltd

01689662075 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,000

Finance available £372 pm

1.5L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Stockport

01613887691 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,895

Finance available £132 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,700

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
38.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

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

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800804 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,950

Finance available £615 pm

2L
9.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greg Mitchell Motors

02881440365 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£10,994

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cars 4 U

02038731380 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Style EVO

£15,942

1.5L
46.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Newmachar Motors Ltd

01651260106 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - Match 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£13,359

1.5L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Norton Automotive

01296325323 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,998

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Doncaster)

01302986692 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

£19,999

Finance available £390 pm

2L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

5/5 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 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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