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.

5,276 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.6L
148.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bourne Valley Autos

01264311668 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,990

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£10,195

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
52.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tangelo Used Cars Exeter

01394331922 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,650

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
88.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

White Rose Cars

01134676154 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AB Car Sales (South West) Ltd

01822661594 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hilton Car Sales

02890023656 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (0V) - 2.0L R 20 YEARS TSI 4MOTION DSG 5d 329 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£42,500

Finance available £853 pm

2L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RD Harrison Car Sales

01747440696 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,950

1.5L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Windmill Motors Ltd

01778308209 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE (Nav) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,290

1.4L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£20,499

1.4L
39.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) - HEATED S

£32,102

Finance available £653 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£6,289

Finance available £118 pm

1.4L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Key Kars

01405800965 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,854

1.5L
36.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Hyundai Exeter

01392341625 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

1.6L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.4 SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£6,995

115.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,595

Finance available £281 pm

2L
66.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Swale Auto Sales II LTD

01748906162 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stradey Motor Company

01554701937 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,690

Finance available £548 pm

2L
5.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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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