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.

5,190 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) / FINANCE FRO

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Parkland Motors

01509276004 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.4 TSI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr 2012

Low Mileage

£6,750

Finance available £128 pm

1.4L
61.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Shotts Motorz Ltd

01698538653 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

2L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - e-Golf 5dr

Reduced

£7,800

Finance available £152 pm

108.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI Bluemotion 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
32.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Global Vehicle Hub LTD

01494296046 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
80.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

1L
38.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Active 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£20,259

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,498

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG Auto

£12,990

1.6L
61.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall SEAT Braintree

01376312248 *

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

£3,489

Finance available £56 pm

2L
184.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 S 5dr

Reduced

£2,995

1.2L
120.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

EASICARS LTD

02039577421 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD AUTOMATIC Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
73.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bellboy Cars

01477410105 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

£28,500

2L
7.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,499

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Les Rayner Foxhunters Motor Co

01916077230 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
37.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,498

2L
26.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mac Motors

02890023774 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,698

1L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 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 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 (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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