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.

5,051 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.9 S TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
154.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S&K Motors

01205335102 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr

£4,850

Finance available £86 pm

1.6L
117.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Galloway Motors

01333406894 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.4L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 Golf Match Edition BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

£7,750

1.6L
105.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vortex Cars Limited

01614700153 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,489

Finance available £257 pm

1.6L
46.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr - Apple CarPlay - digital dash - see video

Reduced

£14,800

Finance available £255 pm

1.5L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Roston Park Motors

02476017022 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£8,390

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Junction 21 Motors

01934312906 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
362.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,704

1.5L
29.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 3dr

£16,795

Finance available £353 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTyne

01916076035 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£16,145

2L
33.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,490

2L
58.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps

£7,749

Finance available £142 pm

1.6L
88.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

John McHugh Car Sales

02881440370 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,799

1.4L
39.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Cars Hub Ltd

02037636622 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £336 pm

1.5L
13.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bridgend Ford

01656336637 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

£15,497

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,600

1.5L
16.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Silverlink

01916077583 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,550

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall SEAT Braintree

01376312248 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,500

Finance available £175 pm

25.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

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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