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.

5,121 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG [Nav]

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Border Car & Commercial

01896801277 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0T GTI Pirelli 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,490

2L
100.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MB Executive Motor Company

02476936643 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150PS) R-Line DSG

Low Mileage

£25,495

2L
5.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2004 (54) - 1.6 FSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,495

1.6L
94.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

More Motors Ltd

02038737379 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R-Line 2.0 TDI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£30,357

2L
1.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,000

Finance available £273 pm

1L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,995

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carselect1.com

01563593226 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£23,792

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,640

Finance available £383 pm

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

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

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr (Rear Parking Sensors)(Adaptive C

£16,550

1.5L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Inivicta Omoda Jaecoo & Motorparks Preston

01772347475 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
122.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Steve Newman Car Sales

01704337332 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,293

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (18

£10,200

Finance available £206 pm

2L
81.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,969

Finance available £267 pm

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cambridge Motorworks Ltd

01763290962 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Estate

Low Mileage

£16,390

1L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 b

Reduced

£9,350

Finance available £187 pm

1L
86.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zeus Cars Limited

01234237525 *

0/5 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 (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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