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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£17,399

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Cramlington

01670335009 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
62.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

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

£13,016

Finance available £274 pm

1.6L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,127

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Style 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£21,864

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 1.6 Driver 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Star Car Sales

01282509224 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£37,492

Finance available £750 pm

2L
11.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Harpers Cumbria

01228273201 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI 5-Door

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
73.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MMC Specialist Cars

01642573541 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£23,400

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£3,950

Finance available £66 pm

1.6L
177.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£24,490

Finance available £483 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rosso Performance LTD

01133236280 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,489

Finance available £234 pm

2L
78.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DJH Prestige And Sports

01216615564 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Active 5dr

£17,694

1L
25.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£19,358

Finance available £385 pm

1.4L
38.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,495

1.6L
67.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Baglan Car Centre

01639501146 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,697

Finance available £337 pm

1L
10.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Diesel BlueMotion Tech SE Convertible From £5,995 + Retail Package 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Hesketh Cars

01253201512 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5-Door

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
78.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 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 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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