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.

5,873 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,500

3.2L
72.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SVM Automotive Ltd

01202013963 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

£345/pm (PCP)

2L
39.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Car Sales Oxford Ltd

01993463440 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,995

£472/pm (HP)

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£13,995

£297/pm (HP)

2L
82.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Birchwood Motor Centre

01708932573 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,900

£421/pm (PCP)

2L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£17,495

£346/pm (HP)

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eclipse Car Sales Limited

02392006073 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) -

£18,201

£299/pm (PCP)

1.5L
26.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
13.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

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

£13,495

£262/pm (HP)

1.5L
50.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Taunton Road Car Sales

01278550581 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,318

£333/pm (PCP)

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,499

£299/pm (PCP)

1.4L
17.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - GTI 2.0 TFSI HATCHBACK PETROL MANUAL 3 DOOR 198PS RARE 3 DOOR-40K MILES

Reduced

£9,995

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Smiley Car & Commercial Ltd

01206580387 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£21,892

£358/pm (PCP)

1.4L
37.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£37,950

£571/pm (PCP)

2L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

£13,495

£262/pm (HP)

2L
84.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

RZ Cars

01773303699 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£13,998

1.5L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wirral Renault / Dacia

01515417812 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Reduced

£23,950

£373/pm (PCP)

2L
23.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£4,940

2L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sevenoaks Auto Village

01892572354 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£9,950

1L
83.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Parkside Motors Ltd

02039475180 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£11,495

£220/pm (HP)

2L
106.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Walverden Autocare

01282501853 *

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

Author: Jack Evans

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

* 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.