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.

5,474 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

£67/pm (HP)

1.4L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 Tsi 204 Match Ehybrid 5Dr Dsg

£29,999

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Battersea Volkswagen

02037636641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,399

£165/pm (HP)

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BM CARS WATFORD LTD T/A Chiswell Green Cars

01923927506 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

£13,950

£289/pm (HP)

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,099

£287/pm (HP)

1.5L
37.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Reduced

£24,479

£373/pm (PCP)

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,999

£460/pm (HP)

2L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr [Nav]

£10,750

£205/pm (HP)

2L
111.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Derek Loane Motors

02885444501 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,999

1.5L
5.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£21,695

£522/pm (PCP)

2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Drivers Gallery Ltd

01572491189 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£31,900

£482/pm (PCP)

2L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,495

£241/pm (HP)

1.4L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,999

2L
100.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorplus Car Supermarket

01633742350 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,950

£305/pm (PCP)

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5-Door

Low Mileage

£26,197

£423/pm (PCP)

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (20

Reduced

£13,995

£290/pm (HP)

1.4L
40.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Sheffield Car Centre Ltd

01144786513 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£24,698

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hyundai (Glasgow)

01416118684 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (75) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£28,990

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,395

£260/pm (PCP)

2L
78.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£19,400

£344/pm (PCP)

2L
80.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

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 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 (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

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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