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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chertsey Motorstore

01932559028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 3-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elgin Autos

01343610498 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,700

Finance available £418 pm

1.4L
25.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 GTD TDI 5dr DSG Auto (SAT NAV, CRUISE, BLACK ALLOYS)

Reduced

£22,988

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jeff White Motors

02920028289 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zanouchi Group Limited

01204939533 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£25,850

Finance available £511 pm

2L
25.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.A.Hegarty Motors

02890023678 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,550

Finance available £124 pm

1.6L
91.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,195

Finance available £161 pm

2L
78.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

EZAT CAR SALES

01908953485 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

Low Mileage

£14,600

Finance available £304 pm

1.4L
37.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£24,990

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - TSI GTI Clubsport 5-Door

Reduced

£42,995

Finance available £863 pm

2L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Riviera Automotive Ltd

01274505967 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
90.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,381

1.6L
38.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr + VOLKSWAGEN WARRANTY Manual

Reduced

£21,249

1.5L
13.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 85kW e-Golf 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

36.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Julian Motor Sales

01993463580 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,549

Finance available £559 pm

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

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 (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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