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.

5,263 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,052

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Gloucester

01452689897 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - PADDLE SHIFT -

Low Mileage

£26,613

Finance available £538 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GTD Blueline 184PS DSG 5Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£19,000

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,490

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

£6,450

1.2L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SOLIHULL MOTOR HOUSE LTD

01217525793 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£19,705

1.5L
29.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Citroen Burton

01283243494 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,250

Finance available £341 pm

1.5L
31.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Autos

01206355496 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,499

Finance available £324 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AW Car House Ltd

01827213842 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
16.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark York Motorstore / Vanstore

01904803322 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£31,898

2L
15.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Corvette / Maserati / LUXE

01414049937 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,234

1.5L
27.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kirkham Part Ex Centre

01772348362 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,799

Finance available £599 pm

1.5L
330.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

2L
62.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Motors

02881440371 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,695

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£7,800

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
82.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lakeside Autos

02890023124 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr + SPACE SAVER

£20,951

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
77.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Magor Motor Company

01633741705 *

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 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 (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.

View guides

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