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 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,879

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,549

Finance available £384 pm

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kernow Kars Ltd

01326330754 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,100

Finance available £92 pm

1.6L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Leicester Car Centre Ltd

01164648301 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - Sold GTI Clubsport TSI BlueMotion Tech 40 Hatchback 2.0 5dr Petrol DSG Euro

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
74.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Anchor Cars Tadley

01182078518 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (61) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£8,449

Finance available £166 pm

1.4L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£27,980

Finance available £530 pm

1.5L
50.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,998

2L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vehicle Trade Centre Kilmarnock

01563590186 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,298

1.6L
23.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Moy Auto Services

02887448024 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£23,990

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GTD TDI DSG 5-Door

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
67.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)-1 O

Reduced

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
46.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GMS Group LTD

02039092104 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,995

2L
114.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Torc Motors Ltd

01485500856 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
44.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£10,795

Finance available £219 pm

2L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

1.4L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crave Motors Ltd

01793550959 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,349

Finance available £336 pm

1.5L
33.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

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 (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 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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