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.

5,285 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,295

1.5L
87.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Wolverhampton

01902544572 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,800

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
135.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Fame Cars Limited

01216474010 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£19,985

Finance available £390 pm

2L
68.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Gibbons Automotive

01373481926 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,498

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr convertible fully maintained througout. Recent wheel refurb

Low Mileage

£4,499

Finance available £78 pm

1.4L
102.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Marshall Motors of Eston

01642549057 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

S Moore Motors Ltd

02890023136 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
24.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Six Ways Car Sales LTD

01554701631 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£6,450

Finance available £122 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SM Auto Sales

02890026930 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£23,900

Finance available £409 pm

2L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,494

Finance available £325 pm

2L
35.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

£19,459

1.5L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£24,998

2L
58.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Perth

01738230553 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,700

Finance available £369 pm

1.5L
22.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,990

2L
29.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Harrogate

01432801661 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TDI GTD 3-Door

Low Mileage

£17,490

Finance available £339 pm

2L
46.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,000

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£10,195

1.5L
83.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,000

Finance available £326 pm

2L
43.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

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 2020)

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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