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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,399

Finance available £247 pm

1.4L
53.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

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 Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

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

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALTUS CONSULTANTS LIMITED T/A altus cars

01293217073 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE Nav 1.5 TSI EVO 130PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£12,411

1.5L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,498

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leyland)

01772283744 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

£15,998

1.5L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Wakefield Motorstore / Vanstore

01924664046 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,669

Finance available £339 pm

2L
62.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Town & Country Cars

02890026954 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,980

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
55.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bedford Specialist Cars

01234987610 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
91.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers Of Yorkshire

01977800666 *

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

£5,699

Finance available £105 pm

1.6L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor House

02039104775 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6

£8,990

2L
108.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr

£20,999

1.5L
31.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Kilwinning Autoplex

01294440522 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,994

Finance available £335 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,295

1.5L
48.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - GTD 2.0 TDI 200PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

£25,995

2L
26.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

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.

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