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.

5,195 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£22,990

2L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,999

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volvo Nottingham

01158384502 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG + 19' ESTORIL ALLOYS + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£33,991

2L
11.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / DAB / BLUETOOTH +

Low Mileage

£10,375

Finance available £209 pm

1.4L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£38,950

Finance available £780 pm

2L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,400

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
68.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 - 1.8 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,500

1.8L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Desborough Car Company

01536211993 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chertsey Motorstore

01932559028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,998

2L
24.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style DSG + 18' CATANIA BLACK ALLOYS + REAR T 5-Door

£27,450

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr DSG- Parking Sensors SEMI-AUTO

£15,750

2L
68.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

TrustFord Belfast (Newtownards Road)

02890026951 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5TSi Life 5dr

£15,689

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hutchings Hyundai Pontypridd

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£23,500

Finance available £493 pm

1.4L
6.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,998

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Glasgow)

01416118316 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen GolfTDI BlueMotion Tech Match

Low Mileage

£6,998

69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Blackwood Used Car Ltd

02890021467 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,250

Finance available £296 pm

1.4L
49.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,500

1.6L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Taylors Performance

01916077209 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,990

1.5L
24.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

UK WHEELS LIMITED

02039537447 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£3,990

1.6L
104.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Town Autos

01234987579 *

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.

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