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.

5,138 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.2LGOLF TSI PETROL

Low Mileage

£7,600

Finance available £147 pm

1.2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

1.6L
87.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,490

2L
59.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

2L
82.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,780

1.5L
11.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,499

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI Active 5dr DSG

£18,456

1L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

Reduced

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
87.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J and I Car Sales

01752987212 *

Volkswagen Golf1999 - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MODERN CLASSIC 2.0 AUTO CONVERTIBLE * ONLY 23000 MILES * 3-Door

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - ADIDAS EDITION 2.0 DSG + RARE MODEL + 77K+ ULEZ+ PEARLESCENT WHITE + PETROL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Mexus

02037639082 *

1.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - CLIMATE CONTR

£18,176

Finance available £361 pm

2L
28.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£23,990

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

3.2L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 290 GTI TCR 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,387

2L
26.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Mercedes-Benz of Bolton

01204939598 *

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

£22,800

Finance available £387 pm

2L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ghost Motors Ltd

01274505156 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£8,457

Finance available £170 pm

1.6L
97.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

100

£12,475

Finance available £256 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Peverel car company ltd

01245204345 *

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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