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.

5,238 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£7,475

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Village Autosales NI

02890026938 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
94.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autohaven Motors Ltd

01494311306 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 3dr

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

2L
77.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (06) - 1.9 TDI GOAL EDITION 5DR LEFT HAND DRIVE LHD UK REGISTERED

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.9L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Car Showroom Ltd

01895548158 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£15,709

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
68.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£31,995

Finance available £637 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhouse (Beds) Ltd

01234676818 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,799

Finance available £280 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£17,200

Finance available £287 pm

2L
30.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£25,698

1.5L
7.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

LS Autos

01306774216 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,330

1.5L
11.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
89.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Suitor Autos

02890026903 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,340

Finance available £343 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,425

Finance available £211 pm

24.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,968

1.5L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,498

1.5L
525.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Ayr)

01292431680 *

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 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

* 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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