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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2002 - 1.8T GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (192 g/km, 150 bhp)

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.8L
141.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HR Cars

01494927722 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,389

Finance available £528 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,250

Finance available £95 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,190

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Variety Cars

01869221716 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£16,400

Finance available £283 pm

1.5L
38.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - R 3-Door

Low Mileage

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

2L
60.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Magenta Cars LTD

01670332682 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 Tdi Bluemotion Tech S Hatchback 5-Door

Reduced

£4,975

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01217285878 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£25,800

Finance available £509 pm

2L
23.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - AUTOMATIC GT TSI ACT BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£7,495

1.4L
129.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

£1,495

1.4L
162.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,999

1.5L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD £35 TAX 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,595

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

C-Car Sales Ltd

01902907243 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,695

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
54.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tamebridge Cars Ltd

01642049641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,069

Finance available £91 pm

1.4L
101.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cheadle Car Sales

01613887701 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£1,990

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

TS Motors

01282509437 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,250

Finance available £95 pm

1.4L
125.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Kevin Car Sales & HCW Ltd

01708205498 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
38.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,700

Finance available £239 pm

2L
64.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 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 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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