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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

2L
37.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ASH CAR SALES

01480276326 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 1.5 eTSI R-Line EVO (150ps) DSG Estate inch 18inch ALLOYS. Automatic 5-Door

£22,990

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Crowsons of Spalding

01775660387 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£6,650

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Thames Street Auto Salvage

01158224073 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£37,700

Finance available £673 pm

2L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.6L
75.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jody Campbell Cars

02870441631 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,784

Finance available £219 pm

1.5L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

New Street Car Centre

01952967003 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,900

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
52.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£38,530

2L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

3.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.A.Hegarty Motors

02890023678 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
16.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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 Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£16,649

1L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£32,250

Finance available £642 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
118.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

County Car Company

01935311768 *

2.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,450

1.6L
71.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

LCC Car Sales Limited

01274028163 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 - GTI T 3-Door

Low Mileage

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

1.8L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Auto Globe Limited

01908765760 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£20,791

Finance available £451 pm

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,295

Finance available £163 pm

1.5L
105.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

3.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£23,376

2L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

3.7/5 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 2020)

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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