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.

5,214 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,470

1.5L
67.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £384 pm

2L
26.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5D DSG 210 BHP 5 Door

Reduced

£9,000

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Vine Place Sports and Performance

01429801202 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£28,443

Finance available £539 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£26,400

1.5L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.5L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Meadway Autoland

01216475215 *

1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 R-line TDI Dsg 5DR Hatch Diesel

£22,989

Finance available £452 pm

2L
33.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,200

Finance available £245 pm

1.5L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

One Class Auto Ltd

02038730354 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,499

Finance available £101 pm

2L
119.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.5L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Anthony Murchan Cars

02830441492 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,799

Finance available £412 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,000

1.6L
179.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Moulsham Motor Co.

01245678465 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
51.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£10,481

1L
63.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Oxford

01865593681 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

1.6L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

JGM Group

02890023173 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

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 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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