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.

5,260 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,699

Finance available £366 pm

2L
35.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£20,490

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Amanah Prestige Limited

02038235352 *

3.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot/Mazda

01592407370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,292

Finance available £51 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Class Auto Ltd

01254947714 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 3.2 R32 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

3.2L
103.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AMR Motors Limited

01484503310 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

3 Bridge Car Sales

02871221749 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,081

Finance available £91 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,190

Finance available £317 pm

1.4L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£13,291

1.5L
62.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

£13,698

1.5L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

46.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

COVENTRY TRADE CARS LTD

02476936595 *

Volkswagen Golf(C) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£17,900

Finance available £347 pm

54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

DB Luxury Cars Ltd

01803225601 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (56) - 1.6 Match FSI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,500

1.6L
116.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Geneva Motors Harlow

01279212108 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
87.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Zeus Cars Limited

01234237525 *

0/5 Stars

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

£10,800

2L
88.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

West Motors Ltd

01895544174 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£19,599

Finance available £403 pm

2L
41.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ben Kemp Ltd

01603937008 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (0M) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£13,695

Finance available £284 pm

2L
85.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sheffield Car Centre Ltd

01144786513 *

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

Reduced

£18,295

Finance available £355 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.3/5 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 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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