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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,500

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

iCARS UK

02039095433 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,140

Finance available £271 pm

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,698

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,998

Finance available £357 pm

2L
49.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Corus Automotives

01777800508 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,498

1.5L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield MG

01313226884 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,545

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FK Car Sales

02825440922 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI SE Euro 4 5dr

£1,999

1.9L
182.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Barry Bangers

02922679524 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£13,295

Finance available £275 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Derbyshire Performance

01332419213 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Forte Motors Ltd

01234237126 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£20,442

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 R-line TSI 5DR Hatch Petrol

Low Mileage

£21,489

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
7.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - R Tsi 5-Door

£15,920

2L
72.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£2,490

1.4L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

STORMFORCE LIMITED

01515417919 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,470

2L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 3d 148 BHP 3-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Match DSG REAR CAM, REAR TINTS 5-Door

£25,990

1.5L
298.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,190

Finance available £161 pm

1.6L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alex Marc Motors

01389311467 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Black Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£33,763

Finance available £644 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 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

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 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.

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Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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