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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,995

1.6L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£25,998

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) F

£18,199

Finance available £353 pm

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

£19,717

2L
25.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,795

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,300

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
20.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,998

1.6L
20.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore/Hyundai (Inverness)

01463217984 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£23,426

2L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,490

1.5L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuckfield Motor Company

01444221468 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Juno Cars

01282501863 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (12) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Motor Plug Teesside Ltd

01642573700 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Auto

£21,787

2L
50.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£30,965

2L
8.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu SEAT Carlisle

01228585517 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

1.4L
20.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG Auto

£17,522

1.4L
45.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall FordStore Cambridge

01223632572 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

1.6L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Martin Traynor Motors

02838299002 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr DSG

Reduced

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
130.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

Oasis Vehicle Sales

01795503962 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - GTI TSI DSG 5-Door

£24,775

Finance available £488 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMV

01634564263 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,899

Finance available £589 pm

2L
7.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£22,990

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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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