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.

5,119 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,395

1.6L
107.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

A1 Car Shop Ltd

01462412937 *

Volkswagen Golf2.0 TDI HIGHLINE DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£10,250

109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£20,899

Finance available £444 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
49.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

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

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Estate

Low Mileage

£16,345

1L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.6 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£595

1.6L
117.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NHI Leicester Ltd

01164646019 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,895

1.4L
62.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

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

£31,998

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,890

Finance available £266 pm

1.5L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,450

Finance available £400 pm

2L
33.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDi 140 Match 5dr

£1,995

2L
167.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Village Cars Cottingley

01274059840 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£34,000

Finance available £678 pm

2L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,895

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,544

2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peugeot Wigan

01942365326 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,290

Finance available £166 pm

1.5L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

2L
72.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 Stars

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

£10,195

Finance available £205 pm

1.4L
75.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

DR-CC (DR Car Company)

01143086588 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,300

2L
59.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,387

1.5L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

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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