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.

5,379 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£1,990

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

TS Motors

01282509437 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,999

Finance available £438 pm

1.5L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,995

1.5L
16.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£20,425

1.5L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£4,695

Finance available £83 pm

1.6L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,240

Finance available £95 pm

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

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

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
72.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorswitch Ltd

01942364531 *

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

Low Mileage

£25,555

Finance available £504 pm

2L
5.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,223

1L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,434

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£16,970

2L
75.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps) -

£16,144

Finance available £318 pm

1L
40.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
78.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle Cars

01736806432 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£16,500

Finance available £293 pm

1.5L
43.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual 115 bhp

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.6L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carjoy UK Limited

01224019779 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£20,499

Finance available £427 pm

1.4L
18.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£17,999

Finance available £368 pm

1.4L
40.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

1L
62.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,755

1.5L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£24,583

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.6/5 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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