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.

5,318 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 Match Edition Tsi Ev 5-Door

Reduced

£13,799

1.5L
45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Right Car Beverley

01482697813 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£14,980

Finance available £312 pm

2L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autocars UK

01482296002 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£8,500

1.4L
89.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,998

2L
27.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,246

Finance available £334 pm

1.4L
51.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

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

£25,300

Finance available £435 pm

2L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,095

Finance available £331 pm

1.4L
53.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 p

£9,980

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opulent Motors

01332325480 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£14,751

1.5L
51.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,895

Finance available £109 pm

1.4L
62.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (57) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 3dr

Reduced

£9,380

Finance available £187 pm

3.2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£12,895

Finance available £266 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

C&S MOTORS LIMITED

01616721743 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,069

Finance available £91 pm

1.4L
101.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cheadle Car Sales

01613887701 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£18,190

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

SM Specialist Cars Ltd

01234860417 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,375

1.4L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Barnyard Trade Cars Limited

01788227357 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,400

Finance available £366 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£25,498

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 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 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 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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