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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,700

Finance available £284 pm

1L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.6L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,498

1.5L
9.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Blackpool Vauxhall / Vanstore

01253201464 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,998

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr MANUAL

£21,847

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Low Mileage

£9,850

Finance available £194 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - SE TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,499

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,999

Finance available £390 pm

2L
29.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01482697731 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
65.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

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

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Chester Car Supermarket Ltd

01244562668 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,497

Finance available £375 pm

1L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - NAV - HK AUDIO

£27,395

Finance available £554 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,340

1.5L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Kings Lynn

01553604436 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,190

Finance available £245 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - R DSG 5-Door

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
80.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BOWEN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01685706038 *

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 Present)

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.

View guides

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