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.

5,203 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE BLUEMOTION 5-Door

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
70.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 R DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£15,295

Finance available £319 pm

2L
80.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) 1 FORMER OW

Low Mileage

£13,995

1.6L
34.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£20,398

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Lichfield

01543228295 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H and M Cars Ltd

07921081064 *

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 Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

£5,470

Finance available £100 pm

1.4L
92.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fraz Motors LTD

01582283988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,697

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,650

Finance available £424 pm

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,750

Finance available £344 pm

2L
45.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Mark 8 Facelift Black Edition 1.5 TSI (150ps) + TECH/PARKING PACK Manual 5-Door

Reduced

£27,748

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

£22,500

Finance available £442 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr DSG

£8,150

Finance available £160 pm

1.6L
96.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Xpert

01623259371 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eric Ellis Jones Brynsiriol Garage

01970600366 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,995

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Manorfield Cars Ltd

01493809988 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
90.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOHAUS CHELTENHAM LTD T/a Greatfield Cars & Commercials

01242501609 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

£22,991

1.4L
28.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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 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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