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.

5,115 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£34,990

Finance available £698 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,200

Finance available £295 pm

1.5L
80.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

PRO AUTOCARS LTD

01256587054 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£30,970

2L
10.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£11,143

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
66.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clear Car Group Ltd

01616696927 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£5,495

2L
131.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOHAUS CHELTENHAM LTD T/a Greatfield Cars & Commercials

01242501609 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£20,691

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TDI SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,000

2L
124.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,895

Finance available £154 pm

2L
114.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,295

1.6L
108.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
111.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wychway Motor Group Limited

01384887422 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RM Trade Sales

02890023693 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,750

Finance available £329 pm

1.5L
17.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

1.4L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£33,298

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,998

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Glasgow)

01416118316 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,490

1.6L
19.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£33,990

2L
10.0
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

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 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 (2016 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 / 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

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

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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