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 Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

1.6L
97.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO GT Edition 5-Door

£12,789

1.5L
76.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
16.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

2L
36.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Clarke Cars

02890022258 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,267

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,799

Finance available £412 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr convertible fully maintained througout. Recent wheel refurb

Low Mileage

£4,499

Finance available £78 pm

1.4L
102.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Marshall Motors of Eston

01642549057 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - GTI PERFORMANCE [7X SERVICES & SAT NAV] 5-Door

Reduced

£8,785

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Brooklands Motor Centres

01135321282 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£16,872

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu SEAT Darlington

01325808020 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TDI GT 5-Door

£11,995

2L
63.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1995 (44) - GTI 3-Door

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
76.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ingatestone Motors LTD

01277285906 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Estate 5-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

ILEX CAR SALES LTD

02877440249 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,546

1.5L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£10,495

2L
112.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

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 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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