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.

5,305 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,998

2L
62.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf Match Edition BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,975

2L
35.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£5,399

1.6L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Boston Car Centre

07470022010 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,998

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,499

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Bob Car Sales

01482739309 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr ++ 35 TAX / HALF LEATHER / DAB / BLUETOOTH +

Reduced

£7,875

Finance available £154 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,197

Finance available £262 pm

1L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.9 BlueMotion TDI Estate 5-Door

£1,195

1.9L
171.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AR Cars

01254947703 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
48.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£1,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

2L
40.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Valley Cars and Classics Ltd

01488500852 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,990

1.5L
36.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FJ Chalke Nissan - Wincanton

01963400995 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

65.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI S 5dr

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

1L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

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

Reduced

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motors Today

01515417939 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI GTI Performance 5-Door

£17,995

2L
64.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Spencers Car Sales

01603931848 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£15,295

Finance available £319 pm

2L
65.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,650

Finance available £283 pm

1.6L
38.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,400

Finance available £336 pm

2L
10.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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 (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

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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