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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,749

Finance available £345 pm

2L
32.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.4L
41.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,200

Finance available £183 pm

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,990

2L
55.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Save On Used Cars

01724514218 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE (Nav) 5dr

£9,350

1.5L
82.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

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

Low Mileage

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Derbyshire Performance

01332419213 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 2.0 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

£1,950

2L
174.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Inverness Citroen / Peugeot / Vanstore

01463213058 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MB Motors

02825440802 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,456

1.4L
20.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,800

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,998

2L
43.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£26,499

2L
12.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£26,990

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
52.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Reduced

£18,492

1.5L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,998

2L
56.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Perth

01738230553 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,493

Finance available £346 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

£12,498

1.5L
77.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,998

1L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 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 (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.

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