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.

5,227 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1L
30.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
63.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Central Car Sales Ltd

01733977746 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,999

Finance available £698 pm

2L
10.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,950

2L
63.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,269

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - Volkswagen Golf Life TSI 5-Door

£17,250

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
42.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dales SEAT at Scorrier

01209704144 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,599

Finance available £341 pm

1.5L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£19,498

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Reduced

£5,495

2L
120.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Burrfields Car Sales

02382146937 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£24,100

Finance available £475 pm

2L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,595

2L
35.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£5,850

Finance available £108 pm

1.6L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£7,750

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,695

2L
83.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£18,499

Finance available £359 pm

2L
78.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

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 Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,099

Finance available £396 pm

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,498

1.5L
38.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glenrothes)

01592803918 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

£44,950

Finance available £903 pm

2L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Grange Road Motors

02886273066 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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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