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 Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

360 Automotive Ltd

01283241544 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI S Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,575

1.4L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Luton Trade Centre

01582280724 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
84.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 0d

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Cars4You Ltd (Straiton)

01665660510 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£22,705

2L
43.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eddie Mallon Motors

02837440447 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5TSi [150] Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southbridge Garage

01334230043 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£30,375

Finance available £630 pm

2L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,225

Finance available £398 pm

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NG Car Sales Ltd

01706396576 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
100.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

A1 Car Shop Ltd

01462412937 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,500

Finance available £420 pm

1.5L
9.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
34.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,190

Finance available £71 pm

1.6L
109.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

2L
51.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
150.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

FALLOWFIELD CARS LIMITED

01618048196 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,345

2L
70.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,298

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr '' VIRTUAL DASHBOARD MODEL''new cambelt

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Poynton Prestige Motors LTD

01616944741 *

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 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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