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.

5,152 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£6,000

1.6L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Graham Motors

02881442140 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £265 pm

1.5L
3.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,990

1L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,400

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,990

2L
9.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£32,998

2L
26.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kia (Linwood)

01414043794 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr DSG [Performance Pack/Nav]

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Victoria Road Motors LTD

01792001639 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,498

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Benton Newcastle SEAT

01916070546 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(13) - 1.2TSI AUTO

Low Mileage

£8,495

29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wintry Motor Point

01279967333 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen GolfMODERN CLASSIC GOLF GTI 1.8 AUTOMATIC ONLY * 14000 MILES * ONE OWNER

£7,999

1.8L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£25,999

Finance available £542 pm

2L
28.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,700

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - HEATED S

Low Mileage

£20,657

Finance available £413 pm

1.5L
17.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr -FSH WITH TIMING BELT-

Low Mileage

£8,490

1.6L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Glasshoughton Car Sales

01977803305 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,091

2L
20.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 3-Door

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
73.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MMC Specialist Cars

01642573541 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI R Black Edition DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£43,999

Finance available £883 pm

2L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Platinum Plus Cars

01618047928 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,250

Finance available £408 pm

1.4L
25.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - GTI 2.0 TFSI HATCHBACK PETROL MANUAL 3 DOOR 198PS RARE 3 DOOR-40K MILES

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Smiley Car & Commercial Ltd

01206580387 *

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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