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.

5,149 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£14,499

Finance available £292 pm

1.5L
60.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
18.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,690

2L
71.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

LS Autos

01306774216 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,200

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FM Motors Norwich Ltd

01603980303 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Life 2.0 TDI 115PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£21,611

2L
18.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 4Motion DSG R | Panoramic sunroof | Rear Camera 5-Door

Low Mileage

£36,480

Finance available £729 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Match Edition Evo TSI Dsg 5DR Estate Petrol

Low Mileage

£18,289

Finance available £355 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£13,999

1.5L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,988

Finance available £201 pm

1L
86.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Change My Car Limited

01215160969 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£9,900

Finance available £195 pm

1L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

2L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DR-CC (DR Car Company)

01143086588 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Reduced

£6,500

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DCX Car Sales

02890023222 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

£8,695

62.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr [Nav]

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
95.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Logan Hamill Car Sales

02879440624 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - GTI PERFORMANCE TSI DSG 3-Door

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Williams Automotive Ltd

01235636668 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TDI Match Edition 5-Door

£14,995

2L
45.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Spencers Car Sales

01603931848 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf SE Nav TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Reduced

£5,845

2L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (10) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
41.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Quality Used Cars

02038928017 *

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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