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.

5,529 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£24,045

2L
18.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) 1 OWNER! JUS

£17,595

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 Tdi Gt Hatchback 5-Door

£10,495

£212/pm (HP)

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FifthGear Fenton LTD

01782969739 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

£168/pm (HP)

1.4L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038056855 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - GTD TDI - 19 INCH ALLOYS - ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,995

£315/pm (HP)

2L
54.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,150

£160/pm (HP)

1.6L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Knightsbridge Cars NI

02890023756 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

£4,495

£78/pm (HP)

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

New York Car Sales

01709288262 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 8 R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,044

1.5L
22.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf GTi Performance TSi Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,500

£489/pm (PCP)

2.5L
51.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carderi Ltd

02039537417 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,988

£210/pm (HP)

1.4L
50.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Reduced

£28,600

£424/pm (PCP)

2L
5.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,995

£288/pm (PCP)

2L
74.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Motors

02881440371 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - GTD TDI DSG - RARE FULL LEATHER INTERIOR - CAMBELT CHANGED - NEW MOT 5-Door

£13,995

£273/pm (HP)

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£4,995

£84/pm (HP)

1.6L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Youngs Motors

02890026948 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,995

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Manorfield Cars Ltd

01493809988 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£19,995

£390/pm (HP)

2L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bedford Specialist Cars

01234987610 *

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

£12,990

2L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Zone Peterborough ltd

01733666995 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 GT Edition 5dr

£8,995

£179/pm (HP)

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S Rafferty Car Sales Ltd

02841330081 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,861

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

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 2020)

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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