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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,899

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
85.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Evelan Car Sales

02890023161 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,450

Finance available £323 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) 1 Previous

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 290 GTI TCR 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,376

2L
26.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Mercedes-Benz of Bolton

01204939598 *

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

£11,495

2L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£5,795

Finance available £107 pm

1.6L
97.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swale Auto Sales II LTD

01748906162 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) 10

Reduced

£13,990

Finance available £267 pm

1.5L
78.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,720

1.5L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Peugeot Cambridge

01223622672 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£21,500

Finance available £421 pm

2L
32.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Beck Evans

02037803374 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£19,295

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

2L
39.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

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

Low Mileage

£33,498

2L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,981

Finance available £89 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,998

1L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,714

Finance available £477 pm

1.5L
8.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI 160 GT SUNROOF MARK 6 FSH ULEZ 3-Door

Low Mileage

£1,250

1.4L
110.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FA Tyre Services TA A41 Cars

01296254874 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,098

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 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 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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