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.

5,287 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 - SE

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£18,495

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£8,450

Finance available £166 pm

1.6L
103.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Roy Hanna Motors

02894338774 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - GT TSI EVO AUTO ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Roundstone Car Sales

01903944818 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£1,895

1.6L
148.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MY ISHAQ LTD

01217525785 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 (02) - 2.0 SE 2 DOOR MANUAL ROOF OPERATION

Low Mileage

£1,750

2L
129.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

M&M Automotive

01590631653 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,428

39.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Chingford

02039577333 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MATCH TSI EVO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,500

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dales Renault Summercourt

01872301822 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,700

Finance available £306 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 GTD TDI DSG 5DR Semi Automatic

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

APC LTD

01744412068 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,700

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
16.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,998

2L
56.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Perth

01738230553 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - 1.9 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,689

1.9L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Capital Cars UK Limited

01143996757 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£7,200

Finance available £139 pm

2L
92.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

VHM Auto LTD

01216618540 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£20,149

Finance available £419 pm

1.4L
31.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£22,989

Finance available £476 pm

2L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,795

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

North West Trade Centre

01772285821 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£27,990

1.5L
140.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,349

1.4L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£17,999

Finance available £368 pm

1.5L
42.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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 (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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