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.

5,297 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

OAK BROOK MOTORS LTD

01709212042 *

Volkswagen Golf(63) - GREAT SPEC - LOW MILES - GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

COSMIC CAR SALES LTD

01992367356 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI Active 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,984

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,626

1.5L
22.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,195

Finance available £94 pm

2L
118.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RISHTON AUTO CARE LIMITED

01254919190 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
80.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Spick Cars

01202068600 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,500

Finance available £483 pm

2L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Savannah Cars Ltd

01702418484 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£16,940

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - Golf 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,295

Finance available £602 pm

2L
36.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Harpers Cumbria

01228273201 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (15) - 1.6 Sport 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
83.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Kelvin Way Motors

01217288894 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 GTD TDI 5dr DSG Auto (SAT NAV, CRUISE, BLACK ALLOYS)

Reduced

£23,488

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jeff White Motors

02920028289 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI (150ps) Match Ed EVO DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
30.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tangelo Used Cars Exeter

01394331922 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Auto

Reduced

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.4L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Birmingham Motors Ltd

01217525226 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,295

Finance available £297 pm

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 - S 105BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,295

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carzuma LTD

02037808972 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,800

Finance available £63 pm

1.6L
80.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£15,957

1.5L
42.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
80.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.5/5 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 Present)

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 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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