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.

5,166 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 150 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,990

1.4L
41.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,495

1.6L
98.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Palmers Citroen Watford

01923919096 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,399

Finance available £76 pm

1.4L
81.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARHUB MK LTD

01908010437 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (13) - 1.2TSI AUTO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wintry Motor Point

01279967333 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,600

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
36.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£1,990

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

TS Motors

01282509437 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
55.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£15,391

1.5L
41.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

£21,742

1.5L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£9,990

1L
108.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£13,499

Finance available £271 pm

1.4L
44.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TSI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Imperial Motor Company Limited

01732443737 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,700

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

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

£16,250

Finance available £341 pm

1.5L
59.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

SMC Garage Group

01392342512 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,698

2L
29.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

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 Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI R (Leather) 4Motion Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
96.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rodden Road Cars

01373481367 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.5L
90.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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

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Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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