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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,283

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Harrogate

01423648264 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - WIFI - BLU

£16,974

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
82.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oakways Car Sales

01217525803 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£24,298

2L
58.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Perth

01738230553 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

M&C Specialist Motors

01182274321 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
8.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat Motorstore Jeep Abarth (Oldbury)

01215166056 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Lomond Auto Centre

01389311235 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,995

1L
56.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSFI PETROL 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
69.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£17,799

Finance available £368 pm

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 3dr DSG

£10,895

Finance available £221 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
12.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Williams Automotive Ltd

01235636668 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG + 17' NOTTINGHAM ALLOYS Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,399

1.5L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
53.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TDI SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
53.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

White Rose Cars

01134676154 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

Low Mileage

£13,499

Finance available £262 pm

1.4L
51.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

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

£12,295

1.6L
68.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (11) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brandlesholme Autos

01612416885 *

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 (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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