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.

5,119 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (59) - 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
35.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,000

1.6L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Motor Collection

01143089153 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,501

2L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
4.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£22,800

Finance available £448 pm

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - Volkswagen 1.5 Golf Life Tsi 5dr

£14,199

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Baylis Worcester

01905947509 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 tsi bluemotion DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,995

1.4L
66.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,495

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vzon Car Sales Ltd

01217286971 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,900

1L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£29,990

1.5L
458.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£13,049

Finance available £261 pm

1.5L
72.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01412601480 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,600

Finance available £415 pm

2L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - DIGITAL DA

Low Mileage

£16,236

Finance available £320 pm

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO PAN ROOF

£23,190

1.5L
9.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
76.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Flintshire Car Sales Ltd

01352871748 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
84.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
72.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,995

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Manorfield Cars Ltd

01493809988 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

High Grange Motor Company Ltd

01325525257 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Reduced

£13,995

2L
123.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opus Automotive Cars Ltd

01422411402 *

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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