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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf GTi Performance TSi 3dr

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Churchs Performance Cars

01403331228 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 GTI TSI DSG 5d 242 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£26,490

Finance available £524 pm

2L
8.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Spa Motor Hereford

01432802169 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£13,680

Finance available £283 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Leigh Cars Ltd

01702837558 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,448

1.5L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
97.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£12,985

Finance available £221 pm

1L
64.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,995

3.2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Derbyshire Performance

01332419213 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

Reduced

£6,555

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,700

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - Gt Tdi Bluemotion Technology Semi-auto 5-Door

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Meridian Motors Limited

01506376846 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

£13,998

1L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (12

£8,490

Finance available £167 pm

1.4L
95.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dave Fox Car Sales

01785336592 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

45.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Wednesbury Carsale

01217288861 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£21,942

1.5L
28.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

65.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,303

1.5L
18.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£26,490

Finance available £524 pm

2L
5.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,218

1.5L
37.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Signature Autos

01313226275 *

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 (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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