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 Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 SDI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,795

2L
109.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EZAT CAR SALES

01908953485 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,700

Finance available £381 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SIMPSON MOTORS

01383347764 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 - GTI T 3-Door

Low Mileage

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

1.8L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mulligan Motors

02830441538 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

£1,995

2L
165.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
34.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
108.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,211

Finance available £574 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5-Door

£8,495

2L
118.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,499

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
74.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Magor Motor Company

01633741705 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

O'Kane Cars

02879440619 *

Volkswagen GolfGTI 5-Door

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.8L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0TDI (115ps) Life MANUAL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,498

2L
2.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vollgas Automotive Ltd

01282509482 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,991

1.4L
114.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,399

Finance available £344 pm

2L
52.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
59.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

SMC Garage Group

01392342512 *

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

Low Mileage

£27,500

Finance available £486 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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 (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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