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.

5,330 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
111.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Z A Motors

01217288814 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RM Trade Sales

02890023693 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0 FSI GT 5dr

Reduced

£1,790

2L
103.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Space Motors Limited

01582280664 *

Volkswagen Golf1996 (N) - 2.0 GTI Colour Concept 5dr

Reduced

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pinnacle Cars Ltd

01143086613 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

£5,695

Finance available £105 pm

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RM Traders

01780430645 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 1.6 FSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (163 g/km, 113 bhp)

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CHORLTON CAR SALES LTD

01614705611 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 Golf Match TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,695

Finance available £284 pm

1.6L
45.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NATIONAL CAR HUB

01922665543 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 180 GTD 5 DOOR BLUE MOTION EURO 6

£9,995

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Solutions

01252415030 *

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 - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI (130ps)Match Edition EVO Manual 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,050

1.5L
19.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,480

Finance available £212 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,400

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,699

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Reduced

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DCX Car Sales

02890023222 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,350

Finance available £75 pm

1.4L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Cars Ltd

01753291623 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,000

2L
77.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,698

1.5L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

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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