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.

5,104 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£14,999

Finance available £303 pm

2L
53.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (58) - 2.0 TFSI GTI Pirelli Edition DSG 5dr

Reduced

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
97.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hamilton Grays Ltd

07816430599 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Anwick Car Sales

01526809673 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£10,799

Finance available £219 pm

1.5L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Successful Cars

02476936833 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps) - BLUETOOTH -

£15,684

Finance available £308 pm

2L
65.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
57.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oakwood Specialist Cars

01918237768 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£41,995

Finance available £842 pm

2L
965.0
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Murphy Motor Sales

02890026876 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,000

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stourbridge Motors

01384319482 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Estate 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,195

1.5L
81.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0TDI GTD 184 Bluemotion Estate Manual 5-Door

£7,295

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

C D commercials

01785335440 *

5/5 Stars

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 Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£20,990

1.5L
37.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Preseli Car Sales

01834820915 *

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

£31,990

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,845

2L
109.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,295

Finance available £252 pm

2L
100.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTyne

01916076035 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,795

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £347 pm

2L
67.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) * HU

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MJM Car Sales

01833600271 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,326

1.5L
18.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 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 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 (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.

View guides

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