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 Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
3.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,400

Finance available £255 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mylson Ltd

01616698222 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£23,000

Finance available £452 pm

2L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Formby Car Centre

01515410426 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Active 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£20,262

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,491

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI 200 4Motion 5dr DSG

£33,490

Finance available £667 pm

2L
24.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

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

£16,599

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
68.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Trade Sales LTD

01236807180 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,300

Finance available £394 pm

2L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - GT 1.5 TSI EVO 150PS 6-speed Manual 3 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£15,297

1.5L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

1.6L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,200

1.6L
159.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NSG Cars

01709212041 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£32,500

Finance available £570 pm

2L
17.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£4,400

Finance available £76 pm

1.6L
106.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Trade Cars Moy

02887447994 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£18,600

2L
61.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Crewe

01270444341 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£24,349

Finance available £511 pm

1.4L
13.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
78.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Landore Motors

01792346402 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£17,897

Finance available £362 pm

1.5L
48.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 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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