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.

5,332 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,976

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI 85 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,595

1.2L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hbm Motors

01268988079 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,990

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Woods New Forest Ltd

01590637902 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,693

Finance available £284 pm

2L
61.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Strada Cars

01642262600 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,450

1.5L
10.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£2,150

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
69.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Taunton Road Car Sales

01278550581 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
83.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - TDI DSG NAV GTD 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,199

Finance available £346 pm

2L
44.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Portsmouth

02392006087 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Reduced

£2,749

1.4L
126.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

KSM BHAM LTD

01217288727 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

1.6L
11.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Turners of Roborough

01752427448 *

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

Reduced

£5,999

2L
131.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - LIFE TSI 5-Door

£21,190

Finance available £415 pm

1.5L
6.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vic Young South Shields Limited

01916076221 *

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

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

IMPERIAL MOTOR SALES LTD

01217525222 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £306 pm

2L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,298

1.5L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Dunfermline)

01383660626 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£15,998

1.5L
56.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,600

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,740

Finance available £151 pm

2L
65.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Beep Beep Cars Ltd

01913232953 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
38.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

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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