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 Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) Automatic

Reduced

£15,790

1.5L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sherwoods Durham Peugeot

01918145161 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,999

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (04) - Golf Match Tsi 3-Door

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Woodville Car Sales

01414049407 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
108.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,200

Finance available £49 pm

1.6L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilson Wheels

01708973692 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£19,461

Finance available £421 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
64.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Maguire's Belfast

02890023126 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Match DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£27,990

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£19,899

Finance available £409 pm

1.5L
47.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

£7,450

Finance available £144 pm

1.4L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Leisure Car Shop Ltd

01245204842 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,750

1.5L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Match 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£27,714

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,498

1.5L
9.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.4L
104.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Trunk Road Budget Cars

01642061101 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

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

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,578

2L
39.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - R TSI 4MOTION DSG -CAMERA -SPIELBERG ALLOYS -APPLE CARPLAY -KEYLESS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

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 *

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 (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 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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