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.

5,134 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,990

Finance available £411 pm

2L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOTECHNIK (LEICESTER) LIMITED

01455244662 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£6,495

1.6L
118.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bogue Motors

02890023167 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 4Motion DSG 2022MY R | Winter Pack 5-Door

Low Mileage

£30,980

Finance available £616 pm

2L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG 19' ADELAIDE ALLOYS, WINTER PK, REAR CAM

£30,990

2L
17.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - Style 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door

Low Mileage

£20,695

1.5L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£33,995

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,295

1.6L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Melton Car Sales

01664492035 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £383 pm

2L
44.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Active Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,995

Finance available £290 pm

1L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

N T Shaw Of Louth

01507306898 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,990

1.5L
11.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£11,600

Finance available £232 pm

2L
63.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI Auto 5dr

Reduced

£2,295

2L
137.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,698

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,450

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
21.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,989

Finance available £493 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
16.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark York Motorstore / Vanstore

01904803322 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 Petrol (TSI EVO), Match Edition, Hatchback, Manual, Euro 6. 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,499

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£20,395

2L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

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 Present)

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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