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.

5,188 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

£2,900

1.4L
131.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lichfield Road Motors Ltd

01543220813 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BEN HODGSON CARS LTD

01228273236 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,490

1.5L
33.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

Reduced

£6,555

Finance available £124 pm

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,099

Finance available £349 pm

2L
43.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 3-Door

£4,774

Finance available £84 pm

2L
146.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sevenoaks Auto Village

01892572354 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£20,990

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Amanah Prestige Limited

02038235352 *

3.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5eTSI (150PS) Active EVO DSG

£20,794

1.5L
26.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,999

Finance available £591 pm

2L
4.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,100

Finance available £337 pm

1L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr-7 SERVICE STAMPS LOVELY CAR

Low Mileage

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
97.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cleveland Street Car Sales

01515417937 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,490

2L
40.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Keywise Cars Ltd

01392344397 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,326

1.5L
36.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Gloucester

01452689897 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,950

Finance available £410 pm

2L
47.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

McGrath Motors

02886273065 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GTI PERFORMANCE DSG 5-Door

£14,975

Finance available £312 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMV

01634564263 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,045

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,200

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,400

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,700

Finance available £83 pm

1.4L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

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 3dr 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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