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 Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Reduced

£23,990

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,949

Finance available £200 pm

2L
33.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

£13,790

1.5L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,100

Finance available £433 pm

2L
47.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Savannah Cars Ltd

01702418484 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
20.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

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 Golf2020 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£11,695

Finance available £239 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

H2 Autos Ltd

01782917254 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,299

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Right Car Beverley

01482697813 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tamebridge Cars Ltd

01642049641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - DIGITAL DA

Low Mileage

£16,290

Finance available £321 pm

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
74.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

VHM Auto LTD

01216618540 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,850

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Invicta Northampton

01604343482 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,573

Finance available £214 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

DB Luxury Cars Ltd

01803225601 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hazelton Motors

02890023654 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,500

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£45,978

Finance available £884 pm

2L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

£13,444

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

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 (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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