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.

5,272 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,998

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI 140 Semi-Auto 5dr

£5,150

Finance available £93 pm

2L
105.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life Estate 5-Door

£19,991

1L
10.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,990

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£6,499

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
113.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Boston Car Centre

07470022010 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£43,999

2L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Anwick Car Sales

01526800320 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£4,450

Finance available £77 pm

1.4L
153.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

Finance available £292 pm

1.5L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
43.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Suitor Autos

02890026903 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,150

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£10,295

Finance available £208 pm

2L
80.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elmbank Motor Company

01292430978 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,841

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Hartlepool

01429801269 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Imaan Motors Ltd

01895540690 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
77.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kirkham Part Ex Centre

01772348362 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,998

1.4L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line DSG 5-Door

£21,697

Finance available £444 pm

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Top Gear NI

02879440940 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

£3,500

Finance available £56 pm

1.2L
122.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Clives Autos Quayside

01206482938 *

4.6/5 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 (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 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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