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.

5,123 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Active 5dr

£16,488

Finance available £284 pm

1L
45.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Swansea

01792986158 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chertsey Motorstore

01932559028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£20,990

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,399

Finance available £277 pm

1.6L
37.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,190

Finance available £250 pm

2L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Noble Motors

01256268407 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,250

1.4L
52.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

PS Marsden Chard

01460201323 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,399

Finance available £293 pm

1.5L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

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

Low Mileage

£14,295

1.4L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Wimbledon

02038928034 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,172

Finance available £483 pm

2L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Martin Traynor Motors

02838299002 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

2L
90.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,725

Finance available £388 pm

1L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,149

Finance available £288 pm

1.6L
30.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£17,863

1.5L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Bolton

01204329200 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

2L
113.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMS Motors

01144786434 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,698

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,780

1.5L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£10,599

Finance available £208 pm

1.5L
65.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 Tsi Style Edition 5Dr

£19,047

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Walton-on-Thames Volkswagen

01932507100 *

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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