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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen GolfMODERN CLASSIC GOLF GTI 1.8 AUTOMATIC ONLY * 14000 MILES * ONE OWNER

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.8L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

32.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr LOW TAX BARGAIN TO CLEAR

Reduced

£2,199

1.4L
139.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Simply Motors

02081500946 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,498

1.5L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Hatchback

£20,775

1.4L
30.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Skipton

01535280951 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (31

£20,950

Finance available £410 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Clitheroe Road Car Sales

01282501662 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,899

2L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Chesterfield Ford Commercials

01246383484 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life DSG 5-Door

£17,497

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
33.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

HKW Car Sales Ltd

01616967899 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
92.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Autogallery London Ltd

02039577416 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,650

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
88.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,750

Finance available £173 pm

1.6L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,350

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,779

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Launceston

01566701767 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£21,298

2L
16.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,290

Finance available £230 pm

1.5L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£23,990

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Golf Match Edition TSi Evo Semi-Auto 5dr

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
23.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTyne

01916076035 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,250

Finance available £478 pm

2L
25.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bournemouth Cars

01202051971 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,190

Finance available £374 pm

1.5L
30.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

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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