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.

5,181 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Reduced

£42,990

2L
250.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

1.6L
84.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£31,800

Finance available £674 pm

2L
11.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 TSI S DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.4L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Small Cars Online

01823217645 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,990

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Penton Citroen Andover

01264311657 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh Auto 5-Door

£9,497

Finance available £171 pm

58.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Sheffield

01145537264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£4,495

1.6L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr

£3,500

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JC Motors Wakefield ltd

01924978951 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£22,998

1.5L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

1.4L
102.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
122.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Steve Newman Car Sales

01704337332 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£13,199

Finance available £273 pm

1.5L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £379 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,200

Finance available £486 pm

2L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£7,695

1.4L
110.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Parkside Motors Ltd

02039475180 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - Match Edition 1.4 TSI 125 PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£12,828

1.4L
60.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£5,995

1.6L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Bolton)

01204324180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
71.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Moy Auto Services

02887448024 *

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 3dr 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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