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.

5,172 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Gormley Motors Ltd

02887448026 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,611

Finance available £424 pm

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

1.4L
81.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

IBO MOTORS

01322949542 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL GOLF TOURAN TSI

Low Mileage

£4,990

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
61.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

£33,000

2L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,699

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TSI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,997

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
75.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Squire Cars Ltd

01495361540 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£33,813

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,298

1.5L
27.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,700

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI (130ps)Match Edition EVO 5-Door

£13,195

1.5L
57.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,900

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FM Motors Norwich Ltd

01603980303 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£8,589

2L
98.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,380

Finance available £120 pm

1.6L
96.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AG Cars Loughborough Limited

01509278062 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

£4,700

Finance available £83 pm

1.2L
110.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CARMAN RECOVERY AND TRANSPORT LTD

01332318226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,800

Finance available £345 pm

2L
69.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5-Door

£17,697

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
35.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£16,699

Finance available £351 pm

2L
53.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 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 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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