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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

£4,150

Finance available £70 pm

1.6L
116.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

H N S Motors

01274059857 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,998

2L
27.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - S TSI +ULEZ COMPLIANT+FULL HISTORY+02/26 MOT+3M WARRANTY 5-Door

Reduced

£3,910

Finance available £65 pm

1.2L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GL1 Car Sales

01452224639 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£13,350

2L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£37,700

Finance available £673 pm

2L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,399

Finance available £225 pm

1.6L
61.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01452227360 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£9,284

Finance available £185 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

K W Motors Ltd

01727648035 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (13) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.2L
41.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

JMS USED CARS LTD

01784779331 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

2L
61.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grange Road Motors

02886273066 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,049

Finance available £232 pm

1.4L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG Automatic

£21,400

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
86.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J and I Car Sales

01752987212 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI SE TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
16.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£9,595

Finance available £192 pm

1.4L
85.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Millennium Motors Ltd

01616720328 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

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 (60) - 1.2 TSI 85 S 5dr

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

1.2L
118.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GB Motor Company

01162165597 *

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 Present)

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 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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