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 Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,340

Finance available £343 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Automatic

£42,300

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£4,980

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) Matrix LED Headl

Reduced

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£19,956

1.5L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,294

Finance available £141 pm

1.6L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

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

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NAC MANCHESTER LTD

01612417467 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,669

Finance available £339 pm

2L
62.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

2L
64.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars2 Wakefield Nissan

01924667285 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,150

Finance available £115 pm

1.2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kobe Trading UK Limited

01162165671 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 Tsi Automatic Dsg...Only 31655 Miles

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.2L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Not Supplied

Four Crosses Garage

01743292166 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,750

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£31,995

Finance available £637 pm

2L
15.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,949

Finance available £324 pm

1L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,199

1.5L
65.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Prestige Car Supermarket

01904238447 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
1.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - Golf Gti 5-Door

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
104.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Woodville Car Sales

01414049407 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£20,495

Finance available £409 pm

2L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Birchwood Motor Centre

01708932573 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brendan Campbell & Sons

02887441406 *

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 (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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