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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,300

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
37.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,890

1.4L
81.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,990

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
62.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Bolton

01204584597 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Match Edition Evo TSI Dsg 5DR Estate Petrol

Low Mileage

£18,289

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

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

£15,340

1.5L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Kings Lynn

01553604436 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,669

Finance available £339 pm

2L
62.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1L
30.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,000

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Motor Collection

01143089153 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,476

Finance available £439 pm

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Sheffield

01145537264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GT 88 LTD

01616749828 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) - PARK SEN

Low Mileage

£29,892

Finance available £606 pm

2L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Murrays of Randalstown

02894330178 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,145

Finance available £249 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AHC CAR SALES LTD

01135123659 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1L
20.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Warwickshire Prestige Cars

02475105246 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,100

Finance available £412 pm

2L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,800

Finance available £264 pm

1L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£31,998

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,490

1.5L
539.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

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 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 (2016 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 / 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

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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