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.

5,157 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£15,818

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,945

Finance available £348 pm

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NW Kehoe & Sons

02830447169 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - GTI EDITION30 T 230 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,999

2L
113.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Chana Car Centre

02476936601 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£27,490

1.5L
5.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R-Line Tsi 5-Door

Low Mileage

£22,220

Finance available £474 pm

1.5L
6.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - 2.0 Avantgarde Cabriolet 2dr Auto

£8,500

2L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Martin Atkinson Specialist Cars Ltd

01724514598 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line | Heated Steering Wheel 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,480

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
16.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Drift Bridge Volkswagen Epsom

01372238273 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,250

1.5L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Atlas Autos Ltd

01206987248 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£8,450

2L
44.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Valley Cars and Classics Ltd

01488500852 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

2L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Per4mance Cars Limited

01625468256 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
24.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

2L
102.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Tizzys Transport

01935311816 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,998

1.5L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Glasgow)

01414736424 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,100

Finance available £351 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Browns Car Company

01621733495 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

2L
59.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,495

2L
111.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor People

01613887786 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1990 (G) - 1.8 GTi 16V 3dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.8L
130.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamstead Autos

01213872419 *

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 (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 3dr 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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