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 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,280

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,700

Finance available £239 pm

1.4L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Browns Car Company

01621733495 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,395

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

T Wall Garages Citroen - Kingswinford

01384319487 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,590

Finance available £281 pm

2L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sterling Motor Group Ltd

02039537434 *

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 Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

Reduced

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FRM Car Sales

01922661912 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

£31,586

2L
9.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
58.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorology

01515417934 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£7,450

Finance available £144 pm

1.6L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MJ Motors

02890023185 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,599

Finance available £298 pm

1.6L
37.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Coventry

02475187133 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1.4L
111.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 p

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
78.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Ltd (Straiton)

01665660510 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£22,492

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
108.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

James Nutt Cars

01527368640 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr Full service record, Gorgeous car

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MP Auto Group Limited

01743295540 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Touchscreen, A

Low Mileage

£11,199

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Nelson

01282501882 *

4.4/5 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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