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.

5,129 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,294

Finance available £321 pm

2L
35.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - e-Golf 5-Door

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £167 pm

57.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£13,053

Finance available £253 pm

1.5L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
42.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vzon Car Sales Ltd

01217286971 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,950

Finance available £389 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Countryside Commercials ltd

01405800967 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,299

2L
39.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

2L
94.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MOSSGATE MOTORS LTD

01613887618 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 1.6 Driver 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Star Car Sales

01282509224 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,490

Finance available £145 pm

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
75.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

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

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
91.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Orchard Car Sales Ltd

01256633756 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,945

Finance available £334 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

George O'Hara Motors

02877440245 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,698

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Stirling)

01786232223 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,497

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVM Sports and Prestige

01613887697 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
132.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AYRSHIRE CAR TRADERS LTD

01292434534 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,699

Finance available £328 pm

1.4L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Reduced

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Riviera Car Centre Ltd

01803225282 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

£8,405

1L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Bury St Edmunds

01284331263 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
16.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark York Motorstore / Vanstore

01904803322 *

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 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 (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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