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.

5,260 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,875

1.5L
37.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Luton Trade Centre

01582280724 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1.2L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£25,490

1.5L
2.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - MATCH EDITION TSI BMT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
19.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,750

Finance available £330 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AG Car Sales Ltd

02890023158 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 SDI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,795

2L
109.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EZAT CAR SALES

01908953485 *

2.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
34.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (210 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - R 2.0 TSI 300 PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,423

2L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,872

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu SEAT Darlington

01325808020 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
63.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

£13,499

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
51.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Palmers Mitsubishi Hemel Hempsted

01442503952 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - se

Reduced

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI BlueMotion Technology DSG Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,295

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£19,376

2L
36.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 Petrol (TSI), Automatic (DSG), EVO, GPF, R-Line, Hatchback, 5 Door, Man

£13,499

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,427

1.5L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
37.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (13) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.2L
41.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

JMS USED CARS LTD

01784779331 *

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 (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 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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