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 Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 110 SE 5dr

£999

2L
166.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cheap Cars and Vans

02039475176 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG | Heated Front Seats

Low Mileage

£39,990

Finance available £766 pm

2L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,649

Finance available £339 pm

2L
30.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Store Bristol

01174400909 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,970

1.5L
67.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,490

2L
13.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - LED - BLUE

Low Mileage

£16,660

Finance available £329 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)-1 O

Reduced

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,890

Finance available £266 pm

1.5L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,181

Finance available £160 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
80.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Spick Cars

01202068600 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
76.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Flintshire Car Sales Ltd

01352871748 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

Reduced

£2,295

2L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars 4 You

01216615633 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

2L
99.0
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

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

£13,350

Finance available £276 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,475

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
94.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Leicester Car Centre Ltd

01164648301 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£31,998

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

Reduced

£3,490

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CF Car Sales

02921676471 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
128.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,199

1.5L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,999

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
32.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DS Cars

02894338808 *

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.

View guides

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