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.

5,260 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI Style 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£17,617

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Durham

01918141213 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Reduced

£7,290

Finance available £141 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

2L
102.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

M & Y Car Sales

01952984337 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£10,999

Finance available £217 pm

1.6L
64.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 2.0 TDI 140 GT MARK 6 2011/11 CANDY WHITE 6 SPEED MANUAL SUNROOF 5-Door

£2,850

2L
113.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FA Tyre Services TA A41 Cars

01296254874 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,096

2L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI (130ps) Life EVO DSG Estate 5-Door

£19,795

Finance available £386 pm

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,890

Finance available £199 pm

1.4L
52.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

UK WHEELS LIMTIED

01279212123 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
37.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Clarke Cars

02890022258 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

Reduced

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Forge Garage

01473927595 *

5/5 Stars

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

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Milton Motor Centre

01234237535 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
158.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£23,990

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,299

Finance available £310 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lismenary Motors

02893448902 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 184 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
64.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelchair Cars Ltd

01613887630 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,800

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,800

Finance available £286 pm

1.5L
61.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,699

Finance available £366 pm

2L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

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 (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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