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.

5,256 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - MK7 Facelift 1.6TDI (115ps) Match Estate 5-Door

£13,500

1.6L
44.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,897

Finance available £448 pm

1.5L
6.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,450

Finance available £166 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Town & Country Cars

02890026954 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£13,498

1.5L
59.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£25,498

1.5L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr DSG ULEZ

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

1.2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,500

Finance available £364 pm

1.5L
22.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

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

£12,975

Finance available £268 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Express Car Sales

01215160930 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

White Rose Cars

01134676154 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
43.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JC Campbell

02841330274 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
13.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£39,490

2L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,999

Finance available £306 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

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

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Brendan Campbell & Sons

02887441406 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£19,698

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door Manual

£24,495

1.5L
18.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,176

2L
51.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Clitheroe

01200409818 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI 85 S 5dr Just 45K Miles

Low Mileage

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.2L
45.5K
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 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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