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.

5,717 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - TSI Bluemotion 5-Door

Reduced

£5,250

£89/pm (HP)

1.2L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

NS Auto Trading Ltd

02039577375 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GOLF 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,414

2L
16.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,795

£418/pm (PCP)

2L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

GT SIXTY-SEVEN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01553605577 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Golf Hatch Match 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204 PS 6-Speed DSG 5 Door

£31,029

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£19,300

£301/pm (PCP)

1.5L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,495

£241/pm (HP)

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bedford Cars

01234237531 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,989

£315/pm (HP)

2L
71.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A6 Motors Limited

01525300677 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£8,695

£162/pm (HP)

1.5L
103.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorswitch Ltd

01942364531 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,490

£157/pm (HP)

2L
107.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MOTORSTOP WEST MIDLANDS LTD

01384885524 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - Life TDI 5-Door

Reduced

£14,695

£234/pm (PCP)

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wilson Motors

02890026929 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,619

1.5L
10.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Low Mileage

£13,500

£262/pm (HP)

2L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Earls Autos

01733977929 *

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

£28,450

£458/pm (PCP)

2L
47.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

torquepoint

01908765737 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - GTI EDITION30 T 230 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,999

2L
113.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Chana Car Centre

02476936601 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£18,995

£438/pm (PCP)

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Precision Motor Group

02039537318 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech S 5dr

£3,495

£52/pm (HP)

1.6L
119.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Copford KA Vehicle Sales

01206580918 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,499

£493/pm (HP)

2L
21.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£27,995

£555/pm (HP)

2L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ravenswood Performance Ltd

01444222070 *

Volkswagen GolfGTI 5-Door

Reduced

£3,995

1.8L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£8,250

£162/pm (HP)

1.6L
55.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

North Star Sussex Ltd

01273003666 *

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 (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 3dr 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.