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.

5,143 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£2,995

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Boyslade Garage Ltd

01455241641 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,900

Finance available £347 pm

2L
82.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

£8,995

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SM CARS (LANCASTER) LTD

01524938893 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5DR Semi Automatic

Reduced

£8,990

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Deepdale Motor Company

01772376077 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - AUTOMATIC 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,999

1.2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kobe Trading UK Limited

01162165671 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

High Grange Motor Company Ltd

01325525257 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,998

1L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,498

1L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,095

1.5L
39.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

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 Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McDermott Motors

02890023775 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 Golf Style TSi E-Hybrid Semi-Auto 5dr

£17,000

Finance available £236 pm

1.4L
53.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

LMC Cars

01708206105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

£14,743

Finance available £288 pm

1.4L
56.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,389

2L
29.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£13,795

Finance available £286 pm

2L
86.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tenby Car Supermarket

01582280726 *

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

Reduced

£35,300

2L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

2L
85.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

MARLING CAR SALES LTD

01952953911 *

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 (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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