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.

5,172 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,490

Finance available £145 pm

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door + SUNROOF + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£26,991

2L
20.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£25,998

1.5L
740.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£22,850

Finance available £449 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5-Door

£18,976

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
29.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,006

2L
51.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Clitheroe

01200409818 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
11.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Manual

£21,989

1.5L
13.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (14) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

33.4K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Gateway Motor Group

01513057630 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£24,499

Finance available £525 pm

2L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,995

2L
45.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

£30,358

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (03) - 3.2 R32 Hatchback 5dr Petrol Ulez

Reduced

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

3.2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£18,295

Finance available £355 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Midlands Car Trader

01332325484 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
95.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

K Barclay Trade Cars

01633741157 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (I3) - 1.6 MATCH TDI 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
66.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Darlington Car and Commercials

01325528553 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,999

1.6L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

2.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,999

2L
20.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,470

2L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
85.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.9/5 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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