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.

5,115 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£21,173

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gallagher Cars LTD

02871226307 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £339 pm

1L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,058

2L
5.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

2L
152.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cars of Kinson

01202001903 *

2.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - S TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY+£35 RD TAX+ CARPLAY+FULL SERVICE HISTORY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,910

1.2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GL1 Car Sales

01452224639 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,990

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Amanah Prestige Limited

02038235352 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£27,990

1.5L
539.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,998

1.5L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark St Helens Renault / Dacia / Vanstore

01744419406 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,999

1.5L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 - TFSI GTI 3-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
85.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Barnsley Commercial Sales Ltd

01226107459 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,495

Finance available £284 pm

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

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

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hilton Car Sales

02890023656 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150ps) Style DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,200

2L
19.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,975

1.4L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GT 88 LTD

01616749828 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,888

Finance available £154 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,795

1.6L
55.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Canterbury Vauxhall

01227203980 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,997

Finance available £456 pm

2L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 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 2016)

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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