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.

5,257 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
105.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

1.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Parkview Autos NI Limited

02890026871 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 184PS 5Dr Ã¢ Vienna Leather, Panoramic SunroofÃ¢

Low Mileage

£12,889

2L
64.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors (FRS) Ltd

01346410646 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,375

1.4L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Barnyard Trade Cars Limited

01788227357 *

2.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE 5dr [Nav]

Low Mileage

£15,199

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,049

2L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG

£3,995

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£19,991

1L
10.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£10,988

Finance available £223 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£15,759

1.5L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Gloucester

01452689897 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£9,950

51.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Windmill Motors Ltd

01778308209 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line DSG 5-Door

£21,897

Finance available £448 pm

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,589

1.5L
30.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall MINI Bournemouth

01202099922 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,499

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Forte Motors Ltd

01234237126 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Style EVO

Low Mileage

£16,850

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
18.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,998

2L
27.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Kilmarnock)

01563591754 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,698

1.5L
525.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Ayr)

01292431680 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£9,595

Finance available £192 pm

1.4L
85.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Millennium Motors Ltd

01616720328 *

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 (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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