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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£16,000

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,298

1.5L
62.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glasgow)

01414068758 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG 6 month warranty

Low Mileage

£10,695

Finance available £217 pm

1.6L
52.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sterling 8 Ltd

01614700128 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£36,400

2L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2025 - TSI GTI Clubsport 5-Door

Reduced

£42,995

Finance available £863 pm

2L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Riviera Automotive Ltd

01274505967 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ravenswood Performance Ltd

01444222070 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO + 17' VENTURA ALLOYS MANUAL

Low Mileage

£18,499

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (8T) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,495

Finance available £585 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carplex Ltd

01323396590 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,400

Finance available £232 pm

1.4L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Howard Banks Cars Ltd

01279212075 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£23,530

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£28,390

Finance available £563 pm

2L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CHESHIRE MOTOR WORKS

01244562666 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Reduced

£2,195

1.4L
128.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AR Cars

01254947703 *

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

£13,350

Finance available £276 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
81.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,990

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Harding Motor Company Ltd

01513174813 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£27,000

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£9,998

1.6L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Birtley Motorstore / MG / Vanstore

01916070584 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,298

1.5L
37.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 3dr 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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