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 Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

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 Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,149

Finance available £332 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,299

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Right Car Beverley

01482697813 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,950

Finance available £312 pm

2L
86.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI 2.0 TSI 300ps ClubSport DSG Auto 2025 5-Door

Low Mileage

£44,500

Finance available £894 pm

2L
700.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - e-GOLF 136PS BEV Automatic 5dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

29.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Crowsons of Spalding

01775660387 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£20,900

1L
18.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.5L
76.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,999

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Stoke - Stoneacre Select

01782986854 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr DSG

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
123.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TS Autodeals LTD

01779400276 *

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

Reduced

£26,495

Finance available £524 pm

2L
9.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Style EVO

Low Mileage

£17,491

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,400

1.5L
25.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG

Low Mileage

£23,294

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,140

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
61.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors

02879440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,099

Finance available £293 pm

1.4L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£12,988

Finance available £268 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£17,799

Finance available £368 pm

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 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 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 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.

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