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.

5,192 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,693

Finance available £198 pm

1.6L
85.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£9,390

Finance available £187 pm

2L
50.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

AMG MOTOR VEHICLES LTD

01733942779 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

£5,995

1.4L
93.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

J and I Car Sales

01752987212 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.5L
83.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

J & N PRIDE AUTOS

01204969314 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,250

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RM Traders

01780430645 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
73.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf1986 (X) - GTI Mk1 1.6 5spd 3-Door

Low Mileage

£31,995

1.6L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

4 Star Classics

01420551490 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (Z6) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,595

1.6L
60.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

North West Trade Centre

01772285821 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1.4L
111.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£21,895

1.5L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - LED - BLUE

£12,587

Finance available £243 pm

2L
78.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,749

Finance available £307 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Arrow Motor Company

01325520199 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,950

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£45,995

Finance available £924 pm

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI S Cabriolet 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.4L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI MATCH EDITION BMT 5-Door

Reduced

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
104.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£31,651

Finance available £643 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 242 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.4L
21.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Victoria Motors

01225437258 *

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 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 (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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