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.

5,178 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£15,995

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

L S Eaves

01206489825 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

£1,999

2L
151.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Penarth Marina Sales and Boat Services

02921676478 *

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

£18,999

Finance available £394 pm

2L
48.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,382

Finance available £449 pm

1.5L
8.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

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

£21,083

1.5L
32.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TSI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Reduced

£8,295

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (06) - 1.9 TDI GOAL EDITION 5DR LEFT HAND DRIVE LHD UK REGISTERED

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.9L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Car Showroom Ltd

01895548158 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,395

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,450

Finance available £457 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,295

Finance available £335 pm

1.4L
49.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
38.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Alltrack 4motion TDI Dsg 200 5DR Estate Diesel

£26,989

Finance available £534 pm

2L
38.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1998 - LEFT HAND DRIVE 1.8 GTi 20V TURBO LIMITED EDITION 137 BHP 5DR HATCH

Reduced

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chesham Left Hand Drive Centre

01494296463 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,879

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

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

Reduced

£31,450

Finance available £626 pm

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) Hatchback 2.0 Automatic

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

89.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Redgate Lodge Select

01916070595 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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