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.

5,051 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£20,491

1.4L
28.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (06) - 1.9 TDI GOAL EDITION 5DR LEFT HAND DRIVE LHD UK REGISTERED

Low Mileage

£5,495

1.9L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Car Showroom Ltd

01895548158 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£22,998

17.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Bolton)

01204324180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,488

Finance available £234 pm

2L
85.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
79.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£17,599

Finance available £348 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,340

Finance available £248 pm

1.5L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,481

Finance available £444 pm

2L
34.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£5,295

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GGS Motors Ltd

02382148539 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
79.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

LMR Trade Car Centre

01925907763 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
86.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tenby Car Supermarket

01908106203 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,600

Finance available £451 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Euro 5 3dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dedicated Motor Company Ltd

01709913919 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - Volkswagen 1.5 Golf Life Tsi 5dr

£14,199

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Baylis Worcester

01905947509 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£7,749

Finance available £151 pm

1.4L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,998

2L
58.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Stirling)

01786232223 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,109

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Sunderland

01918146406 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£13,500

Finance available £279 pm

1L
37.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SHEFFIELD DIRECT MOTORS

01143218700 *

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.

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