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.

5,350 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 - GT TSI ACT BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
106.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RS Car Sales & Hire

01328801763 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,900

1.5L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,695

1.5L
64.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

48.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

D & J Autos Ltd

01525300684 *

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

£11,767

2L
79.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Approved

01633741231 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

£11,357

1.4L
38.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Hull

01482947496 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
137.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr ++ SUNROOF / SAT NAV / DAB / 35 TAX / ULEZ ++

£8,975

Finance available £178 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG Automatic

£17,950

1L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,798

1L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Huddersfield)

01484506234 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£18,199

Finance available £376 pm

1.4L
33.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG

£27,990

Finance available £554 pm

1.5L
7.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,649

Finance available £363 pm

2L
23.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Leicester

01164646061 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Golf Active TSi 5dr

Reduced

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
26.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TSI R 4M 310PS DSG Est 5-Door

£18,995

2L
69.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

1L
13.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sagitta Automotive

01332419209 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,991

1.5L
27.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£21,200

Finance available £376 pm

1.5L
13.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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

View profile

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

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