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.

5,605 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 3-Door

Reduced

£16,795

£332/pm (HP)

2L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mark One Cars Limited

01246385095 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£14,970

2L
85.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,305

1.5L
88.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

Reduced

£1,200

2L
179.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Budget Cars

01614139818 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,250

£442/pm (PCP)

2L
10.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lismenary Motors

02893448902 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,250

£316/pm (PCP)

2L
17.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sutherland Cars Limited

01743648880 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GOLF 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,950

1.5L
49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

£167/pm (HP)

1.6L
73.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J&M Cars Magherafelt

02879441918 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,785

£283/pm (PCP)

1.5L
34.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SERE Lisburn

02892791416 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (R) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,910

£221/pm (HP)

3.2L
100.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Tabass Cars Ltd

02038895279 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£14,599

£257/pm (PCP)

1L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abaza Motors Ltd

02037634729 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI 2.0 TSI 300ps ClubSport DSG Auto 2025 5-Door

Reduced

£42,500

£642/pm (PCP)

2L
700.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,699

1.5L
47.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FG Barnes Omoda/Jaecoo

01483937938 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£10,999

1.5L
75.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£12,999

£252/pm (HP)

2L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

The Car Guys Sales Ltd

01527361737 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£16,490

£442/pm (CS)

1.4L
13.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Penton Citroen Salisbury

01722445449 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION - SHOW CAR - IMMACULATE HUGE SPEC - 400PS - BOLA

Low Mileage

£19,995

£390/pm (HP)

2L
59.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,999

£335/pm (HP)

2L
62.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.6 Golf SE TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

£72/pm (HP)

1.6L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eastwood Motor Sales Limited

01702410178 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£16,498

£291/pm (PCP)

1.5L
44.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Desmond Motors FordStore & Transit Centre

02871221758 *

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

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.