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.

5,191 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

2L
22.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Ayr)

01292431668 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,895

Finance available £176 pm

1.4L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
88.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£7,995

1.6L
87.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (61) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Nippon Motors

01164646742 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,399

2L
90.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Affordable Cars Prestige Car Supermarket

01904238447 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr [Performance Pack/Nav]

Low Mileage

£18,199

Finance available £384 pm

2L
28.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,995

1.6L
112.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle road motors

01562541311 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,499

Finance available £264 pm

2L
54.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,450

2L
147.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AMS Cars

01992367189 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,299

Finance available £440 pm

1.5L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,012

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Charles Hurst Usedirect/ Premium Direct - Dundon

02890022199 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Reduced

£7,995

2L
101.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J O Premier Motors Limited

01312874285 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£19,263

Finance available £392 pm

2L
40.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 Tsi 150 Life 5Dr

£16,939

Finance available £284 pm

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lookers CAR HUB Star City

01212707160 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

1.4L
51.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£26,149

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£19,815

2L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5door 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cherry Tree Cars

01482947563 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

All Cars Group Ta ACG Motors

01613887664 *

4.8/5 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 (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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