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.

5,143 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£20,249

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Reduced

£2,990

1.6L
136.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,395

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

R Line Motors

01619147758 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,999

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,249

1.5L
37.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Hartlepool

01429807316 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1996 (N) - 2.0 GTI Colour Concept 5dr

Reduced

£10,950

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pinnacle Cars Ltd

01143086613 *

4.9/5 Stars

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 Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

2L
89.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SOUTH HAMS AUTOS LTD

01364700699 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£24,899

Finance available £491 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Shelbourne AutoSelect Newry

02830441493 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£32,995

Finance available £657 pm

2L
16.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MSC MOTORS LTD

01782917198 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,498

2L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Wakefield Motorstore / Vanstore

01924664046 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£17,499

1.4L
53.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

£17,490

1.5L
42.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,899

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
6.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,000

Finance available £525 pm

2L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,850

1.5L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,449

Finance available £189 pm

1.4L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,667

Finance available £403 pm

2L
56.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,814

Finance available £108 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MAJESTIC JOURNEYS LTD

01753387030 *

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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