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.

5,123 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,199

Finance available £214 pm

1.5L
58.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Match 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£26,958

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - S TDI 5-Door

Reduced

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 R DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE 5dr [Nav] Manual

Low Mileage

£13,900

1.5L
42.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.4L
79.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Shaneys Autos Ltd

01603937082 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£5,999

2L
169.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MOTOR VEHICLE SOLUTIONS NORTH EAST Ltd ta BOLDON

01918141248 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,500

Finance available £442 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£7,650

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sarah Cox Cars Ltd

01623706190 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,998

2L
25.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chesterfield Motorstore / Vanstore

01246381032 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - BLUETOOTH

£17,794

Finance available £360 pm

2L
29.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£5,470

2L
116.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JRP MOTORS

01283907012 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - NAV - HK AUDIO

£26,950

Finance available £545 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.5L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122

£7,249

1.4L
89.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £350 pm

1.5L
11.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), BlueMotion Tech, Match Edition, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manual

£7,199

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£10,290

Finance available £208 pm

1.5L
63.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HALLAM CAR SALES LTD

01143086615 *

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 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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