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.

5,195 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,599

Finance available £360 pm

1.4L
52.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,270

2L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£11,800

Finance available £236 pm

1L
53.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

1.4L
11.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,399

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 Tdi Match 5Dr

£11,672

1.6L
61.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lookers CAR HUB South Shields

01916077192 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£23,607

2L
20.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - BLUEMOTION Automatic

Reduced

£10,500

1.4L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Riviera Japanese Imports

01803224925 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£11,499

Finance available £227 pm

1.6L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Tsi R-Line 5Dr

£17,139

Finance available £332 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lookers CAR HUB Star City

01212707160 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,695

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
54.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,729

Finance available £297 pm

1.5L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - TSI

£6,495

1.4L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

OPPO CARS LTD

02038978713 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ej's Cars Limited

01782432157 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£8,675

1.6L
73.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£9,950

1.4L
44.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Carlton Car Centre Limited

01156977766 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,850

1.6L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

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 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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