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 Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

A1 Autos

02890023133 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,450

Finance available £323 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AG Car Sales Ltd

02890023158 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Paradise Motors

01366310982 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,150

Finance available £115 pm

1.2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kobe Trading UK Limited

01162165671 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) Matrix LED Headl

Reduced

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE Nav 1.5 TSI EVO 130PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£12,411

1.5L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - 17IN ALL

Low Mileage

£19,339

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
16.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG 6 month warranty

Low Mileage

£10,695

Finance available £217 pm

1.6L
52.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sterling 8 Ltd

01614700128 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,939

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (235 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
89.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saratoga Motors

01217288892 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
74.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor Deals Limited

01782529078 *

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 Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (80 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,899

Finance available £87 pm

1.4L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£18,490

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£19,295

Finance available £425 pm

1.5L
38.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£36,490

Finance available £729 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greg Mitchell Motors

02881440365 *

Volkswagen Golf1998 - LEFT HAND DRIVE 1.8 GTi 20V TURBO LIMITED EDITION 137 BHP 5DR HATCH

Reduced

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chesham Left Hand Drive Centre

01494296463 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hudson Autos

01621734609 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,999

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Stoke - Stoneacre Select

01782986854 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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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