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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£10,480

1.4L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,995

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Top Gear NI

02879440940 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£36,966

2L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,522

1.5L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,695

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,250

Finance available £249 pm

1.5L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,491

1.4L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,295

1.6L
53.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

2L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mi-Next Car

01158384494 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Prosper Autos Ltd

01282501861 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,899

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Beccles

01502440598 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,197

Finance available £433 pm

1.4L
14.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£19,420

1.5L
25.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

2L
100.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

A1 Car Shop Ltd

01462412937 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

G R Carter Motors

01493807078 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) - ADAPT CR

£20,131

2L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

£26,549

Finance available £559 pm

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - S Tsi Bluemotion Technology Dsg

Reduced

£7,995

1.2L
68.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£17,049

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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 2020)

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.

View guides

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