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.

5,239 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,850

Finance available £309 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£6,489

Finance available £123 pm

2L
143.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

BEECHES MOTOR ZONE LTD

01535280436 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,552

Finance available £491 pm

2L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Match Edition Tsi Bluemotion Dsg

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.4L
50.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,998

2L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£4,650

Finance available £82 pm

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Auto

£23,669

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Grimsby

01472806814 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.0 Golf Life eTSI Semi-Auto 5dr

Reduced

£20,300

1L
8.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

LMC Cars

01708206105 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 3 door

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

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 Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT AUTO 5 DR

Reduced

£16,495

1.5L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Victoria Motors Ltd

01747440831 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
93.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 Golf R-Line Edition TSi Evo 5dr

£15,290

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Churchs Performance Cars

01403331228 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£8,449

Finance available £166 pm

1.4L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

2L
62.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly M1 Motorstore (Dungannon)

02887448025 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,100

Finance available £298 pm

1.5L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£32,490

Finance available £647 pm

2L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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

£18,099

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,550

Finance available £325 pm

1.4L
72.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - VW Golf 1.5 Life 5dr

£15,996

1.5L
41.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Baylis Cirencester

01285702713 *

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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