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.

5,151 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,090

1.5L
16.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 150 GT BLUEMOTION EURO 6 5-Door

Reduced

£5,995

2L
143.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ex Police Car Centre

01384881231 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£11,331

1.4L
71.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Coulsdon

02038895530 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,750

1.4L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NOVA CAR SALES LTD

01215160442 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £171 pm

1.5L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Nation Ltd

01945664291 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - LIFE TSI 5-Door

£10,450

Finance available £211 pm

1.5L
97.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Finance Hub

01132631214 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Devine Cars

02890023226 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

2L
99.0
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,977

Finance available £245 pm

1.6L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liverpool Car Centre

01515417928 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 202 BHP 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
105.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
18.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£10,994

1.4L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cars 4 U

02038731380 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Reduced

£13,995

2L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Enkae Prestige Motors

01484240747 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£21,649

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Portsmouth

02382146197 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

Reduced

£43,999

Finance available £883 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
35.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG 5-Door

£15,697

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
53.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Lincoln

01522459088 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£15,800

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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 Present)

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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