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.

5,175 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,195

Finance available £228 pm

1L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,791

1.6L
111.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,212

1.5L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,950

49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

HKW Car Sales Ltd

01616967899 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£29,998

2L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,700

Finance available £528 pm

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Turners of Roborough

01752427448 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Tdi 150 Style 5Dr Dsg

£17,336

2L
57.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Newcastle Kia

01916077124 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£18,498

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R TSI 4MOTION DSG - EVERY EXTRA -DCC-PAN ROOF-PERF PACK-HUD-CAM-HK-WINTERPK 5-Door

£44,995

Finance available £904 pm

2L
590.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£18,024

Finance available £388 pm

2L
60.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,490

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,395

2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £244 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Murrays of Randalstown

02894330178 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,300

Finance available £185 pm

1.4L
64.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,500

Finance available £278 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
111.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Peel Common Car Showroom

01329559705 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 Tdi Bluemotion Tech R-line Edition Hatchback 5-Door

£11,195

Finance available £228 pm

2L
88.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FifthGear Fenton LTD

01782969739 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 Golf SE Nav TSi BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

DAB Cars Ltd

01614139848 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps

Low Mileage

£11,649

1.4L
32.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vehicle Trade Centre Kilmarnock

01563590186 *

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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