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.

5,260 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 300 5-Door

£12,499

Finance available £271 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South Yorkshire Motors Ltd

01977802191 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

2L
104.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C M Car Sales

01773303785 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,890

Finance available £419 pm

1.5L
33.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (55) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AMICAS GROUP LTD

01274028401 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TDI GT 5-Door

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
67.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
111.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
61.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,295

Finance available £275 pm

2L
82.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,147

Finance available £573 pm

2L
14.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,195

Finance available £353 pm

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
117.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NIK CAR TRADE LTD

01702410363 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Richard Greer Car Sales

02890026904 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI R 2dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

D M Keith Select Bradford

01274089129 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,990

1.5L
13.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,190

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE SAT NAV £0 ROAD TAX **12 MONTHS WARRANT 5-Door

£5,495

1.6L
155.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GY Cars LTD

01472806818 *

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

Low Mileage

£32,745

Finance available £652 pm

2L
20.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

O'Loughlin Brothers

02879440950 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,411

Finance available £300 pm

2L
79.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Horsepower Motor Centre Ltd

01732927681 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,099

Finance available £571 pm

2L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,475

Finance available £346 pm

2L
47.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 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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