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 Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,698

1.6L
49.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Stoke on Trent)

01782432704 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,200

Finance available £206 pm

24.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - R32

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

122.1K
Miles
Not Supplied
Manual
Not Supplied

Ainsdale Car Centre

01704337328 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£10,650

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MOD Motors

02890026872 *

Volkswagen Golf(64) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,150

Finance available £160 pm

52.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

HKW Car Sales Ltd

01616967899 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J B Motors

01483917289 *

Volkswagen Golf1.2L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,995

1.5L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Chesterfield Seat

01246389545 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PEMBROKESHIRE CAR & VAN SALES LTD

01994220015 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
19.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 5dr 1.5TSi Match

Reduced

£23,695

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£18,646

Finance available £402 pm

2L
43.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,495

Finance available £544 pm

2L
15.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£10,498

2L
75.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Winsford)

01606531928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,300

Finance available £314 pm

1.4L
44.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TSI Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,999

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Peat Motors Ltd

01529401220 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BMT SE 2dr + 35 TAX / DAB / BLUETOOTH / CRUISE / CLIMATE

£4,875

Finance available £87 pm

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,549

Finance available £402 pm

2L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GTI Performance 2.0 TSI 245PS 6-speed Manual 3 Door

Low Mileage

£19,990

2L
40.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

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.

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