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.

5,275 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 Golf Match Edition TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
112.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eco Cars Motor Company (Yorkshire)

01144372786 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,106

2L
28.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
93.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (44) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£21,000

Finance available £438 pm

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,649

Finance available £404 pm

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.6L
85.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

CARMAKEOVER BARNSLEY LTD

01226107448 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

£34,990

Finance available £698 pm

2L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Burton Bradstock Cars

01308801186 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£31,980

Finance available £636 pm

2L
17.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Westbourne Professional Ltd

01143086599 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Town & Country Cars

02890026954 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,299

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
38.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,900

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
13.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

2L
108.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Tdi 184 Gtd Blueline 5Dr

£11,899

2L
80.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ford Sudbury

01787321668 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Reduced

£21,298

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf1975 (W7) - 1.4 SWALLOW TAIL GTi 5-Door

£9,995

1.4L
0.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dave Fox Car Sales

01785336592 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,750

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Shop 365 LTD

01274028208 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£14,994

Finance available £313 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 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 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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