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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr - Apple CarPlay - digital dash - see video

£15,000

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Roston Park Motors

02476017022 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

B Mullan Motors

02890026315 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,770

Finance available £107 pm

2L
93.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wainman Motors

01733902676 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£11,295

Finance available £230 pm

2L
104.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,199

Finance available £243 pm

1.6L
40.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
66.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stockport Car Supermarket

01612416384 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

S Moore Motors Ltd

02890023136 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,698

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (East Kilbride)

01355203632 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,149

Finance available £507 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

2L
72.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (61) - GOLF GTI TSI Edition 30 5 Door Hatchback

Low Mileage

£8,500

2L
81.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jaky Motors

01274028369 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mulligan Motors

02830441538 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,999

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Stoke - Stoneacre Select

01782986854 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eastside Motors

01217288688 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - Se Tdi Bluemotion Technology 5-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
152.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Elms Car Sales Ltd

01278555741 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,495

Finance available £524 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,895

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,998

1.5L
29.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 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 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 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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