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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

£51,000

2L
521.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,769

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
40.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£9,284

Finance available £185 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

K W Motors Ltd

01727648035 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,399

Finance available £365 pm

2L
65.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - MATCH TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,499

Finance available £101 pm

1.4L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 R DSG 3d 270 BHP 3-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
71.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
107.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars and Commercials

02890022225 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,999

Finance available £412 pm

1.5L
7.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

2L
137.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Express

01144789315 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
34.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

My First Car

01562547643 *

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

Low Mileage

£11,498

1.6L
57.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kilmarnock Hyundai / Vanstore

01563590228 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VII ESTATE 1.2 TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,390

Finance available £165 pm

1.2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£28,990

Finance available £575 pm

2L
20.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars to Go

01202099943 *

4.2/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£18,670

1.5L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,950

Finance available £389 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carnet Car Sales

02828440678 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,695

1.4L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Honda York

01904917722 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£16,498

1.5L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Armadale Citroen / Vanstore

01501640622 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£4,650

Finance available £82 pm

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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