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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Manual

£14,395

1.5L
47.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Aberdeen

01224451039 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

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

£6,949

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Bob Car Sales

01482739309 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£16,799

Finance available £324 pm

1L
45.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

2L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Per4mance Cars Limited

01625468256 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,199

Finance available £250 pm

1.6L
51.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£43,999

2L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
35.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wednesbury Carsale

01217288861 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (R) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Reduced

£6,995

3.2L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Car Net UK Ltd

01935311825 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - TDI SE 5-Door

Reduced

£1,895

2L
186.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Walters Motor Group Loddon

01603937289 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,550

2L
35.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

East Midlands Vans

01163668374 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £245 pm

1.5L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Aspire Automotive Limited

01268219722 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,489

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

1.6L
28.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£30,728

2L
18.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Worcester

01905678572 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,895

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
36.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£15,739

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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.

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