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.

5,228 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
86.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HILLVIEW MOTORS Ltd

02890023629 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,194

Finance available £116 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

£12,789

1.5L
52.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,540

Finance available £236 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,698

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (East Kilbride)

01355203632 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£3,795

Finance available £62 pm

2L
126.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Amayr Car Sales

02920028833 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbon Motors Ltd

01216615534 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 5-Door

£2,495

1.6L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HLX Performance LTD

01202007783 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Flexautos

01977801342 *

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

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

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

Low Mileage

£34,498

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,490

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5DR Manual

£6,395

Finance available £121 pm

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Excel Vehicle Sales Ltd

01524938896 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (62) - 1.2 TSi Bluemotion Auto 5-Door

Reduced

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nippon Motors

01164646509 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

Reduced

£18,499

1.4L
22.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,390

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MHH Car Sales

01223608733 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zen Cars Walsall Ltd

01922664680 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£5,999

1.4L
52.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Virk Motors

01708973756 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,945

Finance available £334 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

£18,933

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Taunton

01823211157 *

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 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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