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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,599

Finance available £446 pm

2L
35.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Tsi Evo Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£15,995

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Huntingdon

01480597486 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - S TDI 5-Door

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr**Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25'' high-resolution TF

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hailsham Motoring Centre

01323914685 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£11,988

Finance available £246 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

2L
76.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motoring Way LTD

01495361519 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£31,998

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£29,490

Finance available £585 pm

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SG MOTORHOUSE LTD

01992669367 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Low Mileage

£18,991

2L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - Style 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door

Low Mileage

£20,995

1.5L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,999

1.9L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Safe Cars

01234861497 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,459

Finance available £227 pm

1.4L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01224453394 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

100

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

D N Trade Motors Ltd

01145537267 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mersea Car Sales

01206489531 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
37.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ASH CAR SALES

01480276326 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
58.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

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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