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.

5,333 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£24,998

41.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,222

Finance available £50 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Class Auto Ltd

01254947714 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£11,299

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
72.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lakeside Autos

02890023124 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,400

Finance available £262 pm

1.5L
30.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
108.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

2L
105.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ceir Seiont Cars LTD

01248663519 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Swift Car Sales Lillyhall

01900511074 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,323

Finance available £327 pm

2L
60.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,290

Finance available £185 pm

2L
91.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 3-Door

Reduced

£6,950

2L
81.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Southern Motion Ltd

01227230560 *

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

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Norton Car Sales Limited

01616720268 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£10,989

1.4L
64.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,698

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Linwood Seat / Skoda / Cupra

01414736420 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Golf R-Line eTSI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
36.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Richlee Motor Company Rayleigh

01268219714 *

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

£27,499

Finance available £580 pm

2L
7.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 1.6 SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£2,500

1.6L
118.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Cheap Cars Essex

01268219784 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,795

1.5L
30.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,077

Finance available £458 pm

2L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£19,400

Finance available £411 pm

2L
24.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 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 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 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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