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.

5,283 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD £35 TAX 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,595

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

C-Car Sales Ltd

01902907243 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,899

Finance available £109 pm

2L
101.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Big Motor Company Ltd

01482947783 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£18,989

Finance available £390 pm

1.4L
25.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CAR & CARS LTD

01506376863 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,795

1.5L
30.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,956

1.5L
18.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,750

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
81.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,449

Finance available £189 pm

1.4L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
84.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,197

Finance available £433 pm

1.5L
6.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - HEATED STEERIN

Low Mileage

£27,661

Finance available £560 pm

2L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark St Helens Renault / Dacia / Vanstore

01744419406 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£19,599

2L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

London Car Market

02037637051 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
77.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,698

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,599

Finance available £393 pm

1.5L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.6 FSI S Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 4 (102 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

J and I Car Sales

01752987212 *

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.

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