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 Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£699

2L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,980

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
66.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£28,990

Finance available £575 pm

2L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

D M Keith Honda Grimsby

01472404007 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,779

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Launceston

01566701767 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
97.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

LS Autos

01306774216 *

Volkswagen Golf1996 (N) - 2.0 GTI Colour Concept 5dr

Reduced

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pinnacle Cars Ltd

01143086613 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.4 TSI GT Sport Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual (174 g/km, 168 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
86.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JPM Motors Ltd

02890023665 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carplex Ltd

01323396590 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 5dr DSG SAT NAV LEATERS TOP SPEC

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Quality Car Sales

01924667062 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

1.5L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Riverside SEAT Hull

01482429290 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
53.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£20,495

Finance available £409 pm

2L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Birchwood Motor Centre

01708932573 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£33,995

Finance available £678 pm

2L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Euro 6 Ulez

£8,775

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Your Dream Car Ltd

01494414237 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack McCaughern Trade Sales

02890023686 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (235 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
89.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saratoga Motors

01217288892 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£9,499

Finance available £190 pm

2L
96.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AA Car Sales Ltd

01243211485 *

0/5 Stars

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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