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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr PAN ROOF, WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£28,490

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG - Glass Pan Roof / Sat Nav / FSH

Low Mileage

£11,945

2L
60.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Davies Ford Llangefni

01248663762 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

Low Mileage

£6,295

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GMC 2000

01134680586 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1990 - 1.8 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,500

1.8L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Desborough Car Company

01536211993 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,600

Finance available £423 pm

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5 Door Carmen Red Diesel Manual Eur

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
96.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brooklands Cars

01536211977 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr REVERSING CAM+ HEAD UP DISPLAY+WINTER PACK

£17,490

1.5L
118.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,975

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SMCARS (LTD)

02830447097 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Reduced

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Philip Holland Cars

02893448897 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,697

Finance available £294 pm

1L
27.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Grimsby

01472806810 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - R 3-Door

Low Mileage

£15,990

2L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JDM Autos

02380017672 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,900

Finance available £132 pm

1.6L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,949

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
32.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£8,695

1.6L
115.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI (130ps) Life EVO DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,949

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 R-LINE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5DR Manual

Low Mileage

£14,981

2L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Daniel Maxwell Car Sales

01614139879 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 1.0 eTSI Life EVO (110ps) DSG Estate 5-Door

£17,999

1L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Warwickshire Prestige Cars

02475105246 *

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 (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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