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.

5,192 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), BlueMotion Tech, SE Edition, Nav, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manu

£8,999

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 180 GTD 5 DOOR BLUE MOTION EURO 6

Low Mileage

£9,995

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Solutions

01252415030 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GT TSI EVO DSG 1.5 Petrol Automatic 5 Door Hatchback 2019 [147 BHP]

Reduced

£15,195

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
42.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M J Wearing

01993463430 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£19,489

Finance available £388 pm

1.4L
24.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

1.4L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CASTLE MOTOR HUB LTD

01530443591 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,660

Finance available £350 pm

1.5L
61.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr

£11,858

1.5L
63.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.6L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,290

2L
49.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Keywise Cars Ltd

01392344397 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,899

Finance available £258 pm

1.6L
51.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

02037808144 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,490

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,395

1.6L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pudsey Service Centre

01132362668 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Botley Car Centre Limited

01489661104 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

1.4L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dryden BCS

01212722017 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£19,126

Finance available £413 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,499

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South Yorkshire Motors Ltd

01977802191 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£13,605

1.5L
54.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Newcastle

01918146407 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

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 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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