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.

5,206 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,250

Finance available £73 pm

1.6L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

David Brothers Cars Ltd

01763291606 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - S TDI 5-Door

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,690

1.6L
132.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Buckley Trade Centre

01352871794 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

£1,995

2L
165.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
57.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Pentre Motors

01745779980 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 5dr DSG

£18,998

2L
48.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Kilmarnock)

01563591754 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.4L
113.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,500

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£21,790

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDi S 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,249

Finance available £73 pm

1.6L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

2L
56.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear Motors

02881440371 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£14,465

Finance available £301 pm

1.5L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

1.4L
46.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (57) - 1.4 S 80 5dr [AC]

£995

1.4L
149.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars and Vans

02476930879 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI Match 3dr

Reduced

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

1.4L
106.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sharon Woodside Motors

02890026919 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

H J Wickett and Co

01752423700 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (10) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 3dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

2L
89.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stockport Car Supermarket

01612416384 *

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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