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.

5,110 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 2dr

Reduced

£3,299

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Saver Motors

01919333978 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£25,350

Finance available £500 pm

2L
23.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£6,495

1.6L
118.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bogue Motors

02890023167 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,127

1.5L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Hull

01482421858 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,400

Finance available £351 pm

2L
52.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,600

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
33.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

£14,497

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
55.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Stoke

01782432938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
60.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

LHK Performance Cars Ltd

01743290953 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (33) - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG auto 4Motion 300 bhp

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
46.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carjoy UK Limited

01224019779 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,980

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
80.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£26,850

Finance available £531 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,798

1.5L
3.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,998

2L
43.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glasgow)

01414068758 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£25,998

1.5L
4.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

£36,990

Finance available £739 pm

2L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - GT TSI 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

1.4L
110.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Purewell Motor Company

01202076204 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,790

2L
120.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lancashire Autos LTD

01254457567 *

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

Reduced

£26,990

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Nationwide Vehicle Finance Ltd

01204324459 *

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 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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