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.

5,272 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£22,999

1.5L
16.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,900

Finance available £314 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,500

2L
88.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

West Motors Ltd

01895544174 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

2.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,789

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Auto Investments UK Ltd

01162165682 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - CLIMATE CONTR

£18,122

Finance available £359 pm

2L
28.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carplex Ltd

01323396590 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£24,899

Finance available £523 pm

1.5L
13.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

£2,695

2L
117.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Unicorn Motors Ltd

01613887628 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (13) - 1.2TSI AUTO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wintry Motor Point

01279967333 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,200

Finance available £392 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
88.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion 300ps DSG 5Dr

Low Mileage

£24,495

2L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,245

Finance available £140 pm

2L
120.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Carlisle)

01228273596 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,699

Finance available £366 pm

1L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birmingham

01217525223 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,499

Finance available £301 pm

1L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,300

Finance available £458 pm

2L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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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