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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (Z6) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,595

1.6L
60.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

North West Trade Centre

01772285821 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,995

2L
59.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,498

2L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (East Kilbride)

01355203630 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.6L
73.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

1.6L
67.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Roy Hanna Motors

02894338774 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

2L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mi-Next Car

01158384494 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£27,990

1.5L
140.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

£12,489

1.5L
52.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,195

Finance available £49 pm

1.4L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

J26 Vans & Trucks Limited

01156977778 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£26,495

2L
24.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,995

Finance available £485 pm

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Norman Motors Poole

01202076853 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,118

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Bournemouth

01202068625 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£22,350

Finance available £439 pm

2L
41.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,699

Finance available £440 pm

2L
38.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,345

1.5L
5.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (11) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brandlesholme Autos

01612416885 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto with Apple Carplay

Reduced

£19,899

2L
19.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Invicta Doves Horsham

01403338915 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,909

2L
69.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

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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