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.

5,226 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PEMBROKESHIRE CAR & VAN SALES LTD

01994220015 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,490

1.6L
140.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lancashire Autos LTD

01254457567 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£32,800

Finance available £577 pm

2L
17.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - TSI R 20 Years 5-Door

£33,995

Finance available £678 pm

2L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelers Chipping Norton

01608692663 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RM Traders

01780430645 *

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

£14,295

Finance available £297 pm

2L
77.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace Car Sales Bury

01618042294 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,690

Finance available £455 pm

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,989

Finance available £111 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,549

1.4L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£8,800

Finance available £174 pm

35.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Universe Limited

01708202780 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£23,000

Finance available £393 pm

2L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,000

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG + REAR TINTS

£20,591

2L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorology

01515417934 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,490

2L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - SE TSi 5 Dr DSG Auto [7]

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
18.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pevensey Bay Car Centre

01323402241 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£4,450

Finance available £77 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

SOLIHULL MOTOR HOUSE LTD

01217525793 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£24,590

Finance available £524 pm

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,290

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Penton Citroen and DS Poole

01202110991 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 320PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£33,899

2L
12.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

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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