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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen GolfBRAND NEW - Black Edition 1.5 eTSI 150ps DSG 5-Door

£34,760

Finance available £694 pm

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,698

2L
63.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault / Dacia (Preston)

01772376280 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - GOLF GTD 3-Door

Reduced

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carzooo Limited

01616720266 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,232

1.5L
9.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
1.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Estate 5dr Auto Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,795

1.5L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Reduced

£2,749

1.4L
126.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

KSM BHAM LTD

01217288727 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 TSI SE 3-Door

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.4L
119.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line MANUAL 5-Door

Reduced

£25,990

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr

£14,998

2L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Livingston)

01506539098 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,650

Finance available £465 pm

2L
39.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,480

Finance available £78 pm

1.4L
106.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

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 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 tsi bluemotion DSG AUTO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
58.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,999

Finance available £306 pm

1.5L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,799

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,998

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£18,998

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Newcastle BYD

01916071118 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 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 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 (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 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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