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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,952

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ballyrobert Bangor

02891249490 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Reduced

£13,944

1.5L
51.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Eastside Motors

01217288688 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Reduced

£5,700

Finance available £105 pm

1.4L
119.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Toto Motors Ltd

01616727281 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Estate 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,799

1.5L
71.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.6 Match 5dr

Reduced

£1,695

1.6L
126.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

F&d MOTOR GROUP LIMITED

01274089113 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 Turbo Diesel (TDI), BlueMotion Tech, Match Edition, Hatchback, 5 Door,

£6,699

1.6L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

2L
57.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

LCC Car Sales Limited

01274028163 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£18,199

Finance available £353 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Elite Motor Group LTD

01782389098 *

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

£14,465

Finance available £301 pm

1.5L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

£11,049

Finance available £218 pm

1L
57.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,035

1.5L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,695

Finance available £425 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tradecarsliverpool Ltd

01513050145 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) 5-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
70.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandford Garage

01779401060 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 1.4 TSI GTE 204PS DSG Automatic 5-Door

£15,000

1.4L
61.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Amanah Prestige Limited

02038235352 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,540

1.4L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 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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