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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£14,495

1L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Victoria Motors Ltd

01747440831 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,698

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £288 pm

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

£3,395

Finance available £54 pm

1.6L
125.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sea View Car Centre

01202052309 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr MANUAL

£20,999

1.5L
16.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£18,490

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
86.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Auto

£19,817

1.4L
42.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£8,350

Finance available £164 pm

1.6L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wise Auto Ltd

02038737355 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr MANUAL

Reduced

£20,499

Finance available £401 pm

1.5L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Warehouse Bridgend

01656336621 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,400

1.5L
33.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Aylesbury Ford

01296325843 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Active MANUAL

£17,499

1L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,500

1.5L
658.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1.4L
75.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

London Car Market

02037637051 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£10,795

Finance available £219 pm

2L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen GolfR32 MK4 BLUE 3.2 V6 PETROL 5 DOOR 6 SPEED MANUAL

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

3.2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOMANIA MOTORS GROUP LTD

01182058871 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (51) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

£4,199

Finance available £71 pm

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MDLUXEAUTO

01162166642 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DRB Car Sales

01822661268 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,899

Finance available £366 pm

2L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01482697731 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Clubsport 40 DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

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 (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.

View guides

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