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.

5,333 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£2,995

1.6L
133.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,895

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,150

Finance available £93 pm

1.6L
93.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,654

1L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110

£5,999

1.6L
109.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The World of Cars Rugby

02475105174 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSi EVO (130 PS) SE Navigation 5 Door Petrol Hatchback Automatic

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Luton

01582211307 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£33,298

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

2.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,140

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£12,050

1.6L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Cheltenham

01452227297 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
116.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

H N S Motors

01274059857 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD DSG 5-Door

£27,197

Finance available £562 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£6,650

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Thames Street Auto Salvage

01158224073 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,900

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
30.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - CLIMATE CO

Low Mileage

£15,616

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

GDH Car Sales

01403330806 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

1.4L
30.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,254

Finance available £188 pm

1.6L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£24,498

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leeds Roseville Road)

01134689402 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - GTI Clubsport 40 2.0 TSI 5dr DSG for sale

Low Mileage

£24,450

Finance available £482 pm

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

WFergusonCarSales

01697325138 *

0/5 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 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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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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