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.

5,213 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0 TFSI GTI DSG 5dr

Reduced

£3,789

2L
175.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Sheffield

01143086605 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,700

Finance available £351 pm

2L
47.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,000

Finance available £416 pm

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£30,950

Finance available £615 pm

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

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

£15,208

1.5L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Stockton

01642049066 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£7,995

2L
152.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Central Service Garage

01302246765 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£16,295

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Reduced

£21,298

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI Auto 5dr

Reduced

£2,295

2L
137.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Manual

£20,990

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps) - CLIMATE CONTROL - DAB

£9,814

Finance available £185 pm

46.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
57.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Richard Sloan Cars

02890023215 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 R TSI DSG 5d 296 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£14,945

Finance available £312 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

BRG AutoHub

02891249536 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£14,980

Finance available £312 pm

2L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autocars UK

01482296002 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,268

1.5L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Reduced

£8,295

1.6L
121.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Noahs Automotive LTD

02476936621 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £405 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Essex Car Group

01277286584 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£15,849

Finance available £325 pm

1L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

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 Present)

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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