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.

5,172 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Reduced

£27,799

Finance available £587 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,899

Finance available £355 pm

2L
52.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£14,899

Finance available £310 pm

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Border Car & Commercial

01896801277 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO DSG Semi Auto 5-Door

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.4L
104.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Trunk Road Budget Cars

01642061101 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,560

Finance available £236 pm

2L
109.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,990

2L
43.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (55) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 5dr

Reduced

£2,995

2L
142.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RSH MOTORS LTD

01296329708 *

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

£3,995

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Leather]

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

2L
38.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Formula Prestige Motors

01633742345 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
48.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

YZ Motor Group

02039537322 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Style 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£31,911

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
64.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Livingstone Motor Group Cranswick

01377310203 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

£12,988

Finance available £268 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace Car Sales Bury

01618042294 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

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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