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.

5,379 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,472

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,211

Finance available £574 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE (Nav) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,990

1.4L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

OTR Motors

01612416878 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,000

Finance available £330 pm

1.5L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf1997 (R) - 2.0 Avantgarde 2dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
135.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Mercia Cars

01630410587 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,498

2L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Garscube Road Vauxhall / Leapmotor

01414736408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI BLUEMOTION DSG AUTOMATIC ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Drive Japan

01416119962 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,550

Finance available £124 pm

1.6L
91.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,900

Finance available £238 pm

1.5L
75.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,297

Finance available £307 pm

1L
27.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Grimsby

01472806810 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.4L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Avenue Cars of Gloucester Ltd

01452227348 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £346 pm

2L
53.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lismenary Motors

02893448902 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£11,061

Finance available £225 pm

1.6L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Nationwide Vehicle Finance Ltd

01204324459 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,795

Finance available £386 pm

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Livingstone Motor Group Cranswick

01377310203 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,549

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
40.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,990

1L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI Sportline Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
91.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (LG) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,750

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 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 (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 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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