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.

5,276 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,237

Finance available £302 pm

1.5L
71.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,795

1.5L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,498

2L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Hyundai / OMODA / JAECOO

01224907796 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£19,889

1.5L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£16,349

Finance available £333 pm

2L
57.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,500

Finance available £361 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

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

£17,895

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eclipse Car Sales Limited

02392006073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr DSG ULEZ

£6,990

1.2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,199

1.5L
31.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD 2.0 TDI 200 5dr DSG Auto

£26,500

Finance available £524 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,600

Finance available £362 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£7,750

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,450

Finance available £434 pm

1.5L
21.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.2 TSI 105 S 5dr DSG ULEZ

Low Mileage

£8,200

1.2L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

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

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Canfield Garage

01371700436 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,600

Finance available £298 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Se Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 110 B

£8,900

1L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pentagon Vauxhall (Loughborough)

01332414577 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Nice Car Company

01692666247 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (53) - 3.2 R32 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

3.2L
86.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

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 2016)

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 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.

View guides

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