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.

5,257 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,237

1.5L
39.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 GT Edition 5dr

£6,365

Finance available £120 pm

1.6L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drive With Us Ltd

01215166155 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£21,698

2L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hillington Renault / Dacia / Alpine / Vanstore

01414068774 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,599

Finance available £295 pm

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£15,000

Finance available £313 pm

2L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

4motion Cars

01733977717 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£13,490

1.6L
34.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG + BERGAMO ALLOYS

£24,791

1.5L
17.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,900

1.5L
12.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Darlington Renault

01325527849 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Oakwood Specialist Cars

01918237768 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

2L
34.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Kirkcaldy)

01592808074 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£38,045

2L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG Auto

£16,763

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Blackburn

01254781192 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,998

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Inverness MINI

01463210682 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,846

Finance available £475 pm

2L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

£14,900

Finance available £317 pm

2L
52.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£14,499

1.4L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (3A) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£37,491

Finance available £750 pm

2L
6.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Daniel Alexander Motor Group

01482296165 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grosvenor Cars Norfolk

01493808752 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£5,650

Finance available £104 pm

1.4L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Affordable Motors

01216474040 *

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 2020)

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

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Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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