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 Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,199

Finance available £243 pm

1.6L
40.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

£14,999

Finance available £303 pm

2L
44.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1997 (R) - 2.0 Avantgarde 2dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

2L
135.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Mercia Cars

01630410587 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TDI SE Nav 5-Door

£8,899

Finance available £176 pm

1.6L
110.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Powells Motors Ltd

01709919677 *

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

£24,700

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

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 Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
74.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

2L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bolton Audi

01204324338 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi R Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£21,499

1.5L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Berwick

01289543249 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£19,599

2L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Botley Car Centre Limited

01489661104 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£5,494

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brothers Car Lot

01726219474 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£28,470

Finance available £614 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,899

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Beccles

01502440598 *

0/5 Stars

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

£25,449

Finance available £502 pm

2L
35.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

A1 Ortos

01613887641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (115ps) Life MANUAL

£16,399

2L
33.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TSI GTI Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

IMPORT AUTOS LIMITED

01628565038 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£25,498

1.5L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (80 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,899

Finance available £87 pm

1.4L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 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 (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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