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.

5,313 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£24,549

Finance available £510 pm

2L
36.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,273

Finance available £417 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £305 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

1.6L
75.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Armagh Auto Sales

02837442284 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 Golf Clubsport GTi TSi Semi-Auto 5dr

Reduced

£25,490

Finance available £536 pm

2L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE BLUEMOTION 5-Door

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 3dr

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - R-Line Tsi 5-Door

£20,076

1.5L
32.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hutchings Vauxhall Pontypridd

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,999

Finance available £542 pm

1.4L
2.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.4L
126.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Amon Motors Solihull

01216615432 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,995

2L
130.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chapel Hill Motors

01484506279 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr LOW TAX BARGAIN TO CLEAR

Reduced

£2,199

1.4L
139.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Simply Motors

02081500946 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

2L
57.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

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

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,995

Finance available £372 pm

1.5L
55.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

2L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hot Hatches Ltd

01494311335 *

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

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carderi Ltd

02039537417 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,695

Finance available £284 pm

1.6L
45.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NATIONAL CAR HUB

01922665543 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Hatch Match 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£21,000

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 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 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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