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.

5,342 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GTI

Low Mileage

£12,995

2L
74.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.4L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cleveland Car Sales

01482296016 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£27,490

Finance available £544 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,500

Finance available £401 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Drive Time Specialist Cars Limited

01217288826 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
127.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lamberts Used Car Sales ltd

01392344504 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,495

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Smarter Cars

01243219895 *

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Automotive GT Car Sales Ltd

01236802988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,699

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,849

Finance available £325 pm

1.5L
36.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,399

Finance available £419 pm

1.5L
26.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorplus Car Supermarket

01633742350 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

1.4L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG (APPLE CAR PLAY, PRIVACY GLASS)

Reduced

£22,988

2L
42.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Jeff White Motors

02920028289 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£35,990

Finance available £719 pm

2L
11.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
137.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£1,995

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

INFINITE VEHICLE SALES LTD

01773302789 *

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

£17,490

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,890

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,290

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

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.

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