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.

5,320 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£3,699

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

NJ Vehicle Solutions

01172331369 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,179

1.5L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 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 Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,824

1.5L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,580

Finance available £281 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,799

Finance available £353 pm

2L
52.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.2 TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,590

Finance available £125 pm

1.2L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£18,498

2L
36.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

£25,742

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
19.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro

Low Mileage

£25,950

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GWR Kia

02039104801 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,989

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
133.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

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

Low Mileage

£22,995

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Essex Car Group

01277286584 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£3,499

Finance available £56 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

2k Motor Group

01733797035 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI Match 3dr

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

2L
91.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,650

Finance available £305 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,999

Finance available £306 pm

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

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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