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.

5,141 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,427

1.5L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carnet Car Sales

02828440678 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£13,400

Finance available £283 pm

1.5L
93.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,063

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

1.5L
3.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
93.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,990

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,989

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
131.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Investments UK Ltd

01162165682 *

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

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Blaydon Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01918237728 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
54.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Todds of Campsie

02871220972 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,900

Finance available £228 pm

1.5L
68.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,395

Finance available £232 pm

1.6L
81.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Armagh Auto Sales

02837442284 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI BlueMotion Technology DSG Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,295

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,901

35.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
SUV

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£27,248

Finance available £539 pm

2L
18.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

UP PRESTIGE LTD

01746331186 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - Se Bluemotion Technology Tdi Semi-auto 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Meridian Motors Limited

01506376846 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

One Stop Motors Dewsbury

01924665170 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£21,700

Finance available £378 pm

2L
54.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,700

Finance available £150 pm

1.4L
95.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Auto City Trader Ltd

01182274525 *

3.4/5 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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