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.

5,332 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
95.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors (FRS) Ltd

01346410646 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - GTI Performance 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,000

2L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tobin Motors

01227203699 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£23,285

1.4L
7.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£29,250

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
137.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,399

Finance available £365 pm

2L
65.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£34,995

2L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
91.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

D&C AUTO REPAIRS LIMITED

01752982988 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,750

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

PMA CARS

02890026896 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,256

2L
6.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AUTOPRESTIGE

01274087615 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,500

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
69.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Car Sales Ltd

01772285710 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - LIFE TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jaggard Brothers Motor Vehicle Engineers Ltd

01638591476 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
131.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOHAUS CHELTENHAM LTD T/a Greatfield Cars & Commercials

01242501609 *

Volkswagen Golf(63) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,995

112.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Hiline Motors Ltd

01216618752 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£28,058

1.5L
2.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
17.1K
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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