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 Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,090

Finance available £69 pm

1.2L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Selekt Motors Ltd

01753314986 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (90 ps)

Reduced

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

M J Motors staffs ltd

01782432853 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,900

Finance available £65 pm

1.4L
105.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

High Street Motor Group Ltd

01924793492 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,000

Finance available £264 pm

1L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,945

Finance available £334 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - Volkswagen Golf Match 1.0 TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,750

Finance available £316 pm

1L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dales SEAT at Scorrier

01209704144 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
35.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 FSI S Euro 5 3dr

Reduced

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

iCars Automotive Ltd

07482502192 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£9,386

2L
101.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

£2,995

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Discount Motors

01775661104 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,430

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

1.4L
39.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

02893447250 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,895

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Motor People

01613887786 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£18,698

1.5L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) ONLY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

1.4L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandford Garage

01779401060 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brookside Garage

01407888489 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

Low Mileage

£19,991

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,400

Finance available £436 pm

2L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

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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