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.

5,318 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,100

£291/pm (PCP)

1.5L
16.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,991

1.5L
26.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Se Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 110 B

£8,500

1L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pentagon Vauxhall (Loughborough)

01332414577 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,748

£420/pm (PCP)

2L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Carlisle)

01228522423 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,999

1.4L
62.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,495

£339/pm (HP)

2L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Canfield Garage

01371700436 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£15,667

1.5L
64.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.6L
148.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bourne Valley Autos

01264311668 *

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

£11,495

1.6L
53.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Grantham

01476855117 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,100

1.5L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Chester

01244569076 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,000

£332/pm (PCP)

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£32,999

2L
22.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,395

1.5L
41.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI GTI 5-Door

£15,491

£324/pm (HP)

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vans Northwest Ltd

01942597950 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,495

£234/pm (HP)

1.4L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 2.0 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 4 (140 ps)

£2,290

2L
185.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£16,399

£344/pm (HP)

1.5L
89.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

01708202994 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 2.0 GT Sport TDI 170 DPF 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vans Limited

01162162471 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£4,995

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Botley Car Centre Limited

01489661104 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£24,330

£403/pm (PCP)

2L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

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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