Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact family car first launched in 1974. The VW Golf has evolved over more than eight generations. This multi award-winning model is one of the most popular cars in the world. Selling over 35 million units as of 2019.

The Volkswagen Golf has retained its distinctive five-door body and sleek styling throughout its life. This has marked it as one of the most stylish models in its vehicle class. A selection of efficient and powerful petrol and diesel engines also helps the model stand out on the road. The VW Golf is a competitor to other practical and stylish models, like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 308. It is an excellent choice for value-seekers and petrolheads alike.

Volkswagen Golf updates and facelifts

Volkswagen launched the first generation of the Golf in 1974 as a front-wheel drive family car. A minor facelift in 1980 added larger head and rear lights as well as a new dashboard. The Mk2 of the Volkswagen Golf arrived in 1983 with a larger design. Volkswagen launched it with a selection of petrol and diesel engines. These engines ranged from an entry-level 1.0-litre unit to a 2.0-litre option. A 1987 facelift added larger bumpers.

Volkswagen released the Mk3 Golf in 1991. It was even larger than the Mk2. Volkswagen added a new range of petrol and diesel engines to the third-generation model. These included a 2.8 and 2.9-litre VR6 petrol engine and a turbocharged direct injection diesel engine. A facelift in 1998 introduced new styling to the steering wheel, interior and exterior.

The MK4 launched in 1997 with an even more powerful range of engines, including a 3.2-litre VR6 petrol engine. A facelift arrived in 2003, revising the front and rear headlights, bumpers and front grille.

Volkswagen launched the fifth generation of the Golf in 2005. It came with a larger boot space and new suspension and was built on a new chassis. A new set of 2.0-litre diesel engines were added to the range while the powerful 3.2-litre petrol unit from the Mk4 was also retained.

The Mk6 launched in 2009. It boasted a more aerodynamic design and was quieter than the previous generation. Retaining a large range of petrol and diesel engines, the Mk6 was the first generation of the Golf to come with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine.

The VW Golf Mk7 came to market in 2012 and was both larger and lighter than the previous generation. It also offered a more spacious cabin and so was considered as the most practical edition of the model to date. Volkswagen also refined the number of engines available on the Golf, with only two diesel engines available on the Mk7. A facelift in 2017 added a new 1.5-litre petrol unit, offered new cabin technology and introduced some new styling to the exterior.

2019 marked the launch of the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf. It was the first generation of the model to be available with three mild hybrid engines. It also featured more cabin technology, Amazon Alexa integration and a semi-autonomous driving system.

Practicality and style of the car

In the driving seat, there’s plenty of comfort to be had with the ample space offered across all five seats. Soft cloth and fabric upholstery keep you comfortable over long distances. The cabin offers drivers a stylish and sophisticated feel. It’s also easy to keep the cabin clean and clutter-free thanks to large door bins, a compact glovebox and lidded compartment in the middle of the car.

The Volkswagen Golf is known for being a highly practical vehicle. It has a length of 4,284mm long, a width of 1,789mm and a height of 1,491mm. This size mean it offers a standard boot size of up to 381 litres with the rear seats up. This is slightly more than the Ford Focus’s 375 litres. With the rear seats folded down, this capacity increases to 1,237 litres.

The Volkswagen Golf also has some towing capabilities. When paired with a 2.0-litre, 113bhp diesel engine, it has a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,500kg. The model features as one of our top cars for towing caravans.

Running costs

The Volkswagen has good running costs. Insurance groups for the model range from 7 to 39 depending on the trim. This is typical for this vehicle class, with the Ford Focus range sitting in groups 6 to 40 and the Vauxhall Astra occupying groups 8 to 24.

The Volkswagen Golf also comes with an annual road tax rate of £180, also typical of vehicles in this class.

How a used VW Golf drives

The Volkswagen Golf is available with a selection of petrol and diesel engines. Many come with mild hybrid technology to boost your model’s performance. In the petrol lineup, the entry-level unit is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder option. This generates 109bhp, achieves 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds and returns up to 52.1mpg. There is also a 1.0-litre eTSI engine with mild hybrid capabilities, which pushes this engine’s economy to a maximum return of 54.3mpg.

There is also a 1.5-litre engine that generates either 128bhp or 148bhp and goes from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and 8.5 seconds respectively. The former returns up to 52.6mpg while the latter returns up to 50.9mpg. These engines can also be paired with mild hybrid technology, pushing the fuel economy of these engines to 51.8mpg and 50.9mpg.

There is also a 2.0-litre diesel engine available, which can produce either 113bhp or 147bhp. The former goes from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds and returns up to 63.1mpg, while the latter achieves 62mph in just over 8.3 seconds while returning up to 62.5mpg.

Most engines in the range are available with a six-speed manual gearbox. You can also find a seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox on some variants.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2009 - 2013

Engine	Official NEDC MPG
1.2 TSI	49.6 mpg
1.2 TSI 85	51.4 mpg
1.2 TSI DSG	48.7 mpg
1.4	44.1 mpg
1.4 GT TSI	44.8 mpg
1.4 GT TSI DSG	47.1 mpg
1.4 TSI	45.6–47.1 mpg
1.4 TSI DSG	47.1 mpg
1.6	39.8 mpg
1.6 TDI	60.1–62.8 mpg
1.6 TDI 105	62.8 mpg
1.6 TDI BlueMotion	68.9–74.3 mpg
1.6 TDI BlueMotion Technology	67.3–68.9 mpg
1.6 TDI DSG	60.1 mpg
1.6 TDI DSG BlueMotion   Technology	67.3 mpg
2.0 GT TDI	58.9 mpg
2.0 GT TDI BlueMotion   Technology	65.7 mpg
2.0 GT TDI DSG	53.3 mpg
2.0 TDI	57.6 mpg
2.0 TDI 140	53.3–58.9 mpg
2.0 TDI 140 DSG	53.3 mpg
2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology	65.7 mpg
GTD	55.4 mpg
GTD DSG	52.3 mpg
GTI	38.7 mpg
GTI DSG	38.2 mpg
GTI Edition 35	34.9 mpg
GTI Edition 35 DSG	35.3 mpg
R	33.2 mpg
R DSG	33.6 mpg

2013 - 2020

Engine	Official NEDC MPG	Official WLTP MPG
1.0 TSI	-	46.3 mpg
1.0 TSI 110	58.9 mpg	-
1.0 TSI 110 DSG	60.1 mpg	-
1.0 TSI 115	60.1–67.3 mpg	47.9–54.7 mpg
1.0 TSI 115 DSG	58.9–65.7 mpg	-
1.0 TSI 85	58.9 mpg	-
1.2 TSI 105	57.6 mpg	-
1.2 TSI 105 DSG	56.5 mpg	-
1.2 TSI 85	57.6 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 122	53.3–54.3 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 122 DSG	56.5 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 125	54.3 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 125 DSG	55.4–56.5 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 150	57.6–60.1 mpg	-
1.4 TSI 150 DSG	58.9–60.1 mpg	-
1.5 TSI 130	55.4–58.9 mpg	47.9–50.5 mpg
1.5 TSI 130 DSG	56.5–58.9 mpg	-
1.5 TSI 150	52.3–55.4 mpg	42.8–54.3 mpg
1.5 TSI 150 DSG	54.3–55.4 mpg	42.8–45.3 mpg
1.6 TDI 105	74.3 mpg	-
1.6 TDI 105 DSG	72.4 mpg	-
1.6 TDI 110	72.4–83.1 mpg	-
1.6 TDI 110 DSG	70.6–72.4 mpg	-
1.6 TDI 115	67.3–68.9 mpg	52.3–57.8 mpg
1.6 TDI 115 DSG	68.9–72.4 mpg	54.3 mpg
1.6 TDI 90	74.3 mpg	-
2.0 TDI 150	64.2–68.9 mpg	52.3–55.4 mpg
2.0 TDI 150 DSG	61.4–64.2 mpg	50.4–53.7 mpg
2.0 TDI 184	60.1–67.3 mpg	-
2.0 TDI 184 DSG	57.6–62.8 mpg	-

2020 - onwards

Engine	Official WLTP MPG
1.0 eTSI	53.0 mpg
1.0 eTSI DSG	50.9–54.3 mpg
1.0 TSI	51.6–52.1 mpg
1.4 TSI 204 DSG	256.8 mpg
1.4 TSI 245 DSG GTE	246.1 mpg
1.5 eTFSI 130 DSG	50.8 mpg
1.5 eTFSI 150 DSG	49.7 mpg
1.5 eTSI 130 DSG	49.8–51.8 mpg
1.5 eTSI 150 DSG	48.3–50.9 mpg
1.5 TSI 130	50.8–52.6 mpg
1.5 TSI 150	48.6–50.9 mpg
2.0 TDI 115	60.9–63.1 mpg
2.0 TDI 115 DSG	61.1–63.2 mpg
2.0 TDI 150	61.3–62.5 mpg
2.0 TDI 150 DSG	60.2–60.9 mpg
2.0 TDI 200 DSG	54.0 mpg

Features you can expect in a Volkswagen Golf

Interior

The interior of the Volkswagen Golf is known for its style and practicality. High-quality materials and sharp lines give the dashboard plenty of visual appeal. For a welcome contrast, silver chrome accents line the narrow front grille, multi-use steering wheel and surfaces.

On the centre console, you’ll find the Golf’s infotainment system provided through either an 8.25-inch or 10-inch touchscreen. This screen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow you to mirror your smartphone onto the screen. You’ll also find controls for the air conditioning and shortcut buttons on the side of the screen.

Technology

You’ll find lots of handy drive assist systems in the Golf as standard, including traffic jam assist. This uses a camera and a radar sensor to monitor and regulate the distance between you and other vehicles, helping to prevent collisions. There’s also an adaptive cruise control system that autonomously interacts with your speed assist, emergency braking system, speed limiter and other systems to keep you and your car safe.

The Golf has a predictive pedestrian protection system that uses a camera and a radar sensor to warn you of any imminent collisions. There’s also trailer assist, which provides you with an accurate image of where your trailer or compartment is positioned while navigating difficult corners. It also features additional park assist for smoother parking.

Safety

The Volkswagen Golf has a strong safety reputation. It received a five-star safety rating when tested by crash safety experts, Euro NCAP, in 2019. It also received an adult safety score of 88% and a child safety score of 87%. This is largely thanks to its nine front and side airbags – including rear side and full-length curtain coverage. ISOFIX points are available for fitting child seats securely. Autonomous emergency braking is also featured on most models as standard. This rating beats the Ford Focus’s adult occupant score of 85% and child occupant score of 87%, as well as the Vauxhall Astra’s 80% adult score and 82% child score.

To mark VW’s continued commitment to safety, the MK8 Volkswagen Golf features a centre airbag for front seats as standard. This prevents possible contact between front-seat occupants’ heads in the event of a crash.

Trims available on the VW Golf

Volkswagen Golf S

The Golf S is the entry trim level and is fitted with 15-inch steel wheels. The VW Composition Media System is featured. This provides the driver with access to their cars audio stereo DAB and music files from their phone, USB, SD and AUX IN. The S has electric front windows, air conditioning and electric and heated door mirrors. If you have a young family, the S also comes with ISOFIX child seat anchor points as standard.

Volkswagen Golf Match

The Match is the next trim level in the hierarchy. For a relatively small increase in price, VW provides a whole host of additional features that make the Match fantastic value for money. It comes equipped with alloy wheels and automatic lights and wipers. Match drivers can also enjoy features such as cruise control and front and rear parking sensors. As with the S, the Match media system connects to your devices through USB or Bluetooth. This provides standard digital radio and a trip computer. Available as a 1.6 or and 2-litre diesel engine or a 1.4 turbo petrol, the Match has a variety of fuel-efficient options.

Volkswagen Golf GT

The Golf GT is arguably a slimmed-down version of the extremely popular flagship GTI. It is fitted with the same lowered suspension you would expect from the GTI. The GT retains the exciting driving experience and visual appearance offered by the GTI. The GT is an economical option and it has far fewer sport-tuned modifications than the GTI. As a result, the GT sits in a much lower insurance category and is far more efficient.

In terms of features, the Golf GT enjoys 17-inch Dijon alloy wheels and is fitted with sports seats in the front. Volkswagen’s Discover sat nav system featured in the GT is an upgrade on the Composition Media System offered in the S and Match trim levels. With heated and electric door mirrors, electric windows and pollen-filtering air conditioning – the GT is packed with functionality!

Volkswagen Golf R-Line

Volkswagen ‘R-Line’ trims feature the aesthetics of the ‘R’ trim but without the performance elements. Providing the driver with all the curb appeal and gadgets from the performance trim but a less powerful engine. This places this trim a level above the GT. The body kit of the R-Line, although modelled after the R, is a unique body kit. The R-Line is also fitted with a spoiler and twin exhaust as standard. The R-Line also offers sports seats.

The infotainment system has Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and DAB radio. There are two engine options with the R-Line: a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol that generates 128 or 148bhp. The second option is available as an automatic and is a mild hybrid to assist with fuel consumption. The R-Line also comes with adaptive cruise control, lane assist and autonomous emergency braking.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance

The GTI Performance is the trim above the previous generation of GTIs. The main difference, apart from the facelift, is that the performance has had its power increased from 227bhp to 242bhp from the same 2.0-litre engine. For those really wanting the highest-powered version, VW released a limited edition Clubsport and Clubsport S version that provided 261bhp and above.

Volkswagen Golf FTI TCR

The TCR is another GTI variant that is a nod to the race version ‘Touring Car Racing’. The TCR builds upon the performance with further ‘race’ features and an even more powerful engine. 18-inch alloy wheels and electronic locking ‘eDiff’ are included as standard. Stiffened and shortened suspension make the TCR 5mm lower and that much closer to the road. On launch, the TCR came with two upgrade options. The first has adaptive dampers and large 19-inch alloy wheels, whereas the second option comes with Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tyres. The Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tyres are the same as those found on the Clubsport S. Those looking to take the car to the track will be interested to know that the 155mph speed limiter that is found on most German cars has been removed to provide the full touring car experience.

Volkswagen e-Golf

The e-Golf is VW’s all-electric version of the Golf. There are a number of subtle differences visually, but these are in line with most electric cars. These include the covered grille and ‘spokeless’ alloy wheel. Both of which help electric cars to reduce drag and improve efficiency. The e-Golf is VW’s entry to compete with BMW’s i3 and Nissan’s Leaf. The e-Golf comes with the standard SE specification but also gets a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This provides access to the climate control, sat nav and multimedia system. It is also fitted with 360-degree parking sensors. As for the range, the e-Golf (on paper) reaches 135 miles on the motorway in cold weather and 280 miles if you’re driving in mild weather in the city.

Search our stock of used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale.