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.

5,333 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5-Door

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (12

£8,913

Finance available £177 pm

1.4L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

OPPO CARS LTD

02038978713 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

Reduced

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1.5L
94.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelers Chipping Norton

01608692663 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,911

Finance available £288 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sarah Cox Cars Ltd

01623706190 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£44,499

2L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr [Nav] CAMBELT DONE +1 OWNER +FSH +APPLE CAR +2 KEYS

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Clarity Car Group Ltd

01614139883 *

4.8/5 Stars

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

£21,299

Finance available £417 pm

2L
32.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Beck Evans

02037803374 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lakeside Autos

02890023124 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMGB

01278550715 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,099

Finance available £293 pm

1.4L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,981

2L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Daniel Maxwell Car Sales

01614139879 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

2L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - TSI SE

Reduced

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
41.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

NK IMPORT CARS LTD

01784770643 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,698

1.6L
44.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Carlisle Motorstore / Vanstore

01228276696 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI GT 5 Door Reflex Silver DSG Automatic Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
25.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Brooklands Cars

01536211977 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack/Nav]

Low Mileage

£16,949

Finance available £346 pm

2L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,549

Finance available £362 pm

2L
39.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£51,000

2L
521.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
56.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Marvello Trading

01268988916 *

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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 3dr 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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