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.

5,105 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 Petrol (TSI), Active Edition, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6.

Low Mileage

£16,499

1L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£16,412

Finance available £351 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 (52) - 1.6 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,800

1.6L
96.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Trent Autos Ltd

01156976375 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Active 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£17,240

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,890

Finance available £232 pm

1.5L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fab Trade Cars

01584700196 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,990

Finance available £554 pm

2L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car City UK Catterick

01748900779 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,799

Finance available £280 pm

1.6L
35.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,597

1.5L
18.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.6L
38.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Derek Loane Motors

02885444501 *

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

£15,667

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Bristol East

01174400919 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£35,990

Finance available £719 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greg Mitchell Motors

02881440365 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

Low Mileage

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,999

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorplus Car Supermarket

01633742350 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 5dr 1.5 TSi 150 Style

Low Mileage

£25,495

1.5L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

1.6L
97.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eazy Cars Haslingden Ltd

01706392812 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
85.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arrow Motor Company

01325521616 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,049

Finance available £232 pm

2L
90.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£19,990

1.4L
37.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Poolstock Car Sales Limited

01942597424 *

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 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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