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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brendan Campbell & Sons

02887441406 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,800

Finance available £366 pm

2L
51.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,100

19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,195

1.4L
87.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atherstone Garage

01827215683 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) Manual

Low Mileage

£11,398

1.4L
48.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sherwoods Town Centre Citroen, Fiat & Abarth

01918237779 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,279

Finance available £374 pm

2L
17.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Store Northampton

01604343556 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 202 BHP 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
105.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Stoke on Trent)

01782432704 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
9.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Blackpool Vauxhall / Vanstore

01253201464 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,990

1.6L
90.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 SE TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

Reduced

£6,490

1.4L
39.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£3,990

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Xpert

01623259371 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Eden Car Sales Ltd

02893447216 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

Low Mileage

£8,998

2L
84.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr Kia

01292434388 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,698

1.5L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill Vauxhall / Peugeot / Leapmo

01312025858 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,490

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Park Road Garages Ltd

01234862513 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,998

1.4L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Morecambe)

01524938898 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

£13,595

Finance available £281 pm

1.5L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RM AUTOMOTIVE CUMBRIA

01946552770 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) - HEAT

£29,297

Finance available £594 pm

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,798

1.5L
3.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 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

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 (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

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