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.

5,203 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,350

Finance available £276 pm

2L
45.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Oxford Prestige

01865560426 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,216

Finance available £324 pm

2L
51.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

1.6L
34.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Torc Motors Ltd

01485500856 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI 130ps Style Ed EVO

Low Mileage

£21,791

1.5L
9.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
30.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lomond Auto Centre

01389311235 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5TSi [150] Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southbridge Garage

01334230043 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
80.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,498

2L
21.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Brendan Campbell & Sons

02887441406 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

HILLVIEW MOTORS Ltd

02890023629 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,895

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
99.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Norton Car Sales Limited

01616720268 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
70.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£16,000

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£24,490

Finance available £483 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rosso Performance LTD

01133236280 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,649

Finance available £404 pm

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - HEATED S

£18,055

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,490

Finance available £524 pm

2L
6.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI 150ps Style Ed EVO

£19,991

1.5L
25.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

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.

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