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.

5,191 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Mayfair Car and Hire LTD

02038730240 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,498

1.5L
33.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,200

Finance available £204 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£29,990

Finance available £596 pm

2L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pellon Motor Group

01422411383 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG + WINTER PACK + AREA VIEW 5-Door

£29,990

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.4L
17.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Vehicle Vault

01325522660 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Alltrack Tsi 4Motion Dsg

Low Mileage

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.8L
13.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Ej's Cars Limited

01782432157 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,796

Finance available £264 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Squire Cars Ltd

01495361540 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.2 TSI 105 S 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,390

1.2L
39.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 2.0 TDI 140 SE 5dr DSG

£3,395

2L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Michael Fee Motors

02890024609 *

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

Reduced

£25,990

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,400

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BOWEN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01685706038 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Estate 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£12,650

1L
65.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Stoneacre Derby

01332318241 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£17,698

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Garscube Road Vauxhall / Leapmotor

01414736408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£19,470

1.5L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Gtd Tdi Dsg 5-Door

£25,920

Finance available £512 pm

2L
28.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Motor Group Peterborough

01733666887 *

Volkswagen Golf1.8 GTi 3dr

Reduced

£4,595

1.8L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,500

Finance available £296 pm

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

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 (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 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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