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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BM Cars London Ltd

02039537388 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£18,049

Finance available £373 pm

1.4L
26.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Reduced

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
123.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opus Automotive Cars Ltd

01422411402 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

2L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Preloved Car Company

01206489535 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 8 R-Line 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£25,000

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

2L
56.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Motors

02881440371 *

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

£17,350

1.5L
45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Kings Lynn

01553604436 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,300

Finance available £275 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

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

£15,400

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£14,999

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pentagon Peugeot & Vauxhall (Burton)

01283241541 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J26 Vans & Trucks Limited

01156977778 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - DSG One Owner Ex Police 5-Door

Reduced

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
166.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CSK Cars And Commercials

01639501144 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

£7,450

Finance available £144 pm

1.4L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Leisure Car Shop Ltd

01245204842 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,295

Finance available £208 pm

30.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Car Store

01376319739 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£19,495

1.5L
18.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,799

1L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Right Car Beverley

01482697813 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,950

Finance available £451 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 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 (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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