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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

£28,999

2L
3.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
89.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Reduced

£2,495

1.6L
160.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Allerton Trade Centre Ltd

01274028103 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,949

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
28.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motors2Go Ltd

01302712556 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 (J) - 2.0 GTi 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.8L
117.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Sales Norfolk

01366311094 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

1.5L
76.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

S R Motors Penarth

02922672883 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - Se Tdi Bluemotion Technology 5-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
152.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Elms Car Sales Ltd

01278555741 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Rodden Road Cars

01373481367 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line Etsi S-A Auto 5-Door

Low Mileage

£22,250

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cawdor Newcastle Emlyn

01239801073 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr DSG

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

The Cornish Car Co

01208222378 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£24,990

Finance available £493 pm

1.4L
30.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2d 104 BHP 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

D & J Autos Ltd

01525300684 *

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

Low Mileage

£17,049

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.2L VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 7 TSI PETROL

Low Mileage

£6,100

Finance available £114 pm

1.2L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,994

Finance available £370 pm

2L
86.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£25,498

1.5L
3.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,750

Finance available £151 pm

1.4L
84.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Landmark Motors LTD

01375803848 *

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

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

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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