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.

5,211 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £383 pm

2L
44.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

2L
22.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
60.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 85kW e-Golf 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£8,199

Finance available £161 pm

37.4K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,190

1.6L
109.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£20,000

1.5L
5.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 (02) - 1.8T GTI Anniversary Ltd Edn 3dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.8L
170.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MH Car Sales Oxford Ltd

01993463440 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Preseli Car Sales

01834820915 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,549

Finance available £467 pm

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£15,490

Finance available £324 pm

2L
61.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sleaford Car Centre

01529401234 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£33,298

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
49.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£27,000

2L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
48.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£12,850

Finance available £265 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI S 5dr

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

1L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,388

Finance available £321 pm

1.5L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Chingford

02039577333 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,698

2L
11.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£11,295

Finance available £230 pm

1.6L
41.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Cars Nottingham Ltd

01158225950 *

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 2016)

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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