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.

5,143 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Doncaster)

01302986692 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£13,795

Finance available £286 pm

2L
86.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tenby Car Supermarket

01582280726 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,550

2L
35.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

East Midlands Vans

01163668374 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,699

Finance available £738 pm

2L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£15,300

Finance available £313 pm

2L
60.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,500

Finance available £536 pm

2L
16.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

TH Motors London

01494311200 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr DSG

£4,295

1.4L
130.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Convertible

Oasis Vehicle Sales

01795503962 *

Volkswagen Golf1988 - 8V 3-Door

£14,000

1.8L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Classic Car Auctions

01926357467 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£10,514

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG AUTO PETROL, 71000 MILES

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Brownlow Cars

01325527847 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Etsi Mhev R Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£22,499

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Alnwick

01665660970 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

2L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,000

3.2L
124.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

True Vehicle Sales

01284334029 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.2L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

River Autos Limited

02039577470 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,299

1.6L
98.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£6,980

1.6L
45.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

HM Car Sales

01884212123 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,698

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Stirling)

01786232223 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Town & Country Cars

02890026954 *

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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