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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£33,995

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£12,395

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

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

£19,678

1.5L
47.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Taunton

01823218663 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,895

Finance available £218 pm

1.5L
72.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorswitch Ltd

01942364531 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£23,990

Finance available £472 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£22,814

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Golf Match Edition TSi BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£7,999

1L
79.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Dayles Ltd

01206355498 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,491

1.5L
37.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gallagher Cars LTD

02871226307 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,700

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Alpine Motor Company

07591475657 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 tsi bluemotion DSG AUTO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

1.4L
58.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(62) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,449

20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£13,995

1.5L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - Gt Tdi Bluemotion Technology Semi-auto 5-Door

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Meridian Motors Limited

01506376846 *

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

£5,995

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Three Pines Garage Limited

01885477786 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,990

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£15,849

Finance available £325 pm

1L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
83.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Roadside Motors

02838298746 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,490

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

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

Low Mileage

£22,000

Finance available £460 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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 Present)

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.

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