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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4M DSGÃ¢ 19' 'Warmenau' alloy, R performanc 5-Door

£45,799

Finance available £880 pm

2L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£2,395

1.4L
132.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ac Car Sales

01787320888 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 150 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,990

1.4L
41.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£19,795

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£13,250

Finance available £274 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grand Motors Stockport Ltd

01614139892 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALTUS CONSULTANTS LIMITED T/A altus cars

01293217073 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Riverside Sports & Prestige

01924975090 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI BLUE MOTION TECH LOW MILEAGE 45K MANUAL DIESEL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Birchington Auto Repairs Ltd

01843261703 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,799

Finance available £286 pm

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RH Motor Sales Ltd

01594801996 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
111.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Formby Car Centre

01515410426 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
36.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

S J Davidson

02887447997 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£18,950

Finance available £369 pm

2L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Revitupukcom

01244268811 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps) A

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
92.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint (Stansted) Ltd

01279212477 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
24.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,995

2L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£17,269

Finance available £352 pm

1.4L
40.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£15,395

1L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
4.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

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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