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.

5,069 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,990

1.5L
100.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Reduced

£19,433

Finance available £379 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car City UK Catterick

01748900779 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,500

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf GTD Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Love Car Deals

01923979148 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£15,799

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Clubsport 40 DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£27,799

2L
29.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Auto

£25,609

2L
30.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Taunton

01823211157 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£29,989

Finance available £570 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 8 R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 320PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£27,817

2L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
81.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALPINE MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED

01382238351 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Precision Motor Group

02039537318 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£14,751

1.5L
51.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BEN HODGSON CARS LTD

01228273236 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

100

£12,475

Finance available £256 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Peverel car company ltd

01245204345 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£12,900

Finance available £228 pm

1.5L
68.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
48.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

YZ Motor Group

02039537322 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Reduced

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 2.0 TSI R Cabriolet DSG Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cotswolds Cars and Commercials Ltd

02476936688 *

3.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

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 5dr 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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