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.

5,431 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.2 TSI 85 S 5dr

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

1.2L
118.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GB Motor Company

01162165597 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 p

Low Mileage

£10,700

Finance available £217 pm

1.4L
70.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2010 VW GOLF 2.0 Sportline 2.0TDI DPF 5dr ESTATE 5 SPEED FSH 60 MPG 12 MOT

Reduced

£2,195

2L
161.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

LE10 MOTORS COMPANY LTD

02477714651 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,999

Finance available £390 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£14,049

2L
68.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£27,799

Finance available £587 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,700

1.5L
73.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.4L
92.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JMMC Motors Limited

01158967434 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

1.6L
51.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Roy Hanna Motors

02894338774 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,690

1.4L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - TDI 184 DSG GTD 5-Door

£17,499

Finance available £376 pm

2L
57.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,599

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TDI R-Line 150PS DSG 5 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,795

2L
43.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
108.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JR Motors Livingston Ltd

01506353424 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
111.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Z A Motors

01217288814 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - TDI DSG Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,199

Finance available £438 pm

2L
17.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
59.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,150

Finance available £137 pm

2L
104.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£6,499

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Group 1 Motor Company Ltd

01942365317 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Sales B33

01217288818 *

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 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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