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.

5,168 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
11.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,400

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,895

1.6L
123.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wyze Motors LTD

01753379105 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.6L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (Z2) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Reduced

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

1.4L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

S G Motors

01482426593 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AHC CAR SALES LTD

01135123659 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£17,499

2L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Pinetree Car Superstore Tonypandy

01443806091 *

Volkswagen Golf1995 (M) - 2.0 16v GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,100

Finance available £244 pm

1.5L
44.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 3.2 V6 R32 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion (233 g/km, 247 bhp)

Low Mileage

£13,000

Finance available £268 pm

3.2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Carnet

01234237527 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 5dr DSG

£18,998

2L
48.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Kilmarnock)

01563591754 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Active Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£14,000

Finance available £238 pm

2L
79.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

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

Low Mileage

£30,973

Finance available £629 pm

2L
21.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,890

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£30,700

Finance available £531 pm

2L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GTD TDI DSG 5-Door

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
67.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£11,295

Finance available £230 pm

2L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£15,399

Finance available £322 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 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 (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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