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.

5,205 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,149

Finance available £93 pm

1.4L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,950

Finance available £312 pm

2L
86.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Precision Motor Group

02039537318 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
99.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Cars and Commercials Ltd

01227203373 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

100

£6,250

Finance available £117 pm

1.6L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

D N Trade Motors Ltd

01145537267 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr DIESEL CONVERTIBLE STUNNING CAR! LOW MILES!

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Gordon Fielder Cars Ltd

01527368645 *

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Shiremoor Motorstore / MG / BYD / Vanstore

01913236408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,599

Finance available £495 pm

1.4L
7.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 R-line TSI 5DR Hatch Petrol

Low Mileage

£21,489

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
7.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,995

2L
114.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Torc Motors Ltd

01485500856 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

2L
85.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ceir Seiont Cars LTD

01248663519 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - BLUETOOT

Low Mileage

£18,553

Finance available £368 pm

1.5L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,698

1L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,799

Finance available £429 pm

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - Life 1.5 eTSI 115ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 5 DOOR HATCHBACK

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.4L
65.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£41,995

Finance available £842 pm

2L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

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

£28,998

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life

Low Mileage

£16,491

1L
19.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Reduced

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

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 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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