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.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

1.6L
117.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BuyBuyCar Ltd

01134689397 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
72.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (12)

Reduced

£4,490

Finance available £78 pm

1.2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Wheelwise

01535281131 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,998

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
113.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kirkham Part Ex Centre

01772348362 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J B Motors

01483917289 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wightmans Used Car Centre

01843269541 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI BlueMotion Technology DSG Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,295

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,649

Finance available £404 pm

2L
42.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£18,595

1.4L
26.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Simon Bailes Peugeot - Northallerton

01609711378 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,698

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£20,610

2L
12.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

£8,990

58.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 5-Door

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
104.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr

£16,599

1.5L
55.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Kilwinning Autoplex

01294440522 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,498

2L
20.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Paisley)

01414040020 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - SE TDI DSG 5-Door

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

ALLCARS(sales)LIMITEDT/aAllcars

01945664266 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (60) - 2.0 TSI R (Leather) DSG 4Motion Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,949

Finance available £267 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.3/5 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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