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.

5,116 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£5,850

Finance available £108 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCT CARS LTD

02890023785 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
68.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Gti Tsi Dsg 5-Door

£29,470

Finance available £636 pm

2L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Tsi R-Line 5Dr

£17,139

Finance available £332 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lookers CAR HUB Star City

01212707160 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,495

2L
130.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chapel Hill Motors

01484506279 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,995

Finance available £291 pm

1.5L
36.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TGM SPECIALIST CARS LIMITED

01325521612 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£39,990

2L
961.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone Select Bracknell

01344202530 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

1.6L
51.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Roy Hanna Motors

02894338774 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr DSG

£3,495

1.6L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

The Cornish Car Co

01208222378 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TDI Match 5-Door

£12,690

Finance available £261 pm

2L
65.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,990

2L
62.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Keywise Cars Ltd

01392344397 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,990

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Shop 365 LTD

01274028208 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,700

Finance available £418 pm

2L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
56.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Easy Carz

01582211012 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Link

01633746748 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
40.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,795

1.4L
62.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Reading Cars

01182071736 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,268

1.5L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,000

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Riverside Car Sales Ltd

01283241530 *

4.2/5 Stars

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 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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