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.

5,106 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
25.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£1,299

2L
179.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - 1.6 16V SE 5dr

£2,995

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Favorit Motor Company

01553605768 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,295

Finance available £163 pm

1.4L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£6,495

1.6L
125.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pollock Car Sales

02870440584 *

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

£33,298

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,599

1.6L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

£11,049

Finance available £218 pm

1L
57.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,850

1.5L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Au

£12,105

Finance available £248 pm

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Days Llansamlet

01792739702 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,800

Finance available £322 pm

2L
37.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£18,495

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£1,895

1.6L
148.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MY ISHAQ LTD

01217525785 *

0/5 Stars

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

£31,990

1.5L
953.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (Z4) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,877

Finance available £198 pm

2L
78.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bedfordshire Car Sales

01234987567 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,298

1.5L
13.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,998

1.5L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Aberdeen

01224678298 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

1.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Motors Deals Ltd

01612416399 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Active Manual

£17,499

1L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.2 TSi DSG Automatic 42,800 Miless. Match Bluemotion. 5dr hatchback. PX OK

Low Mileage

£6,990

1.2L
42.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

mhas

02038056893 *

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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