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.

5,410 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

£37,995

20.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 5dr

£7,000

£134/pm (HP)

1.4L
107.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mersea Car Sales

01206489531 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5-Door

Low Mileage

£26,847

£436/pm (PCP)

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Preston

01772285529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.2 TSI Bluemotion Tech SE Nav DSG (s/s) 5-Door

£12,490

£257/pm (HP)

1.2L
63.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

I & I MOTORS LTD

01922662400 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (110 ps)

£3,995

1.6L
140.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lanarkshire Car Sales Ltd

01698538782 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Se Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 110 B

£8,500

1L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pentagon Vauxhall (Loughborough)

01332414577 *

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southend Auto Sales Ltd

01702908029 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Tsi 300 R 5Dr 4Motion Dsg

Low Mileage

£25,198

2L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Battersea Volkswagen

02037636641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,699

£264/pm (PCP)

1L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£20,990

£452/pm (PCP)

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

East Anglia Car Sales Ltd

01394331718 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI SE NAVIGATION 5-Door

£10,699

£217/pm (HP)

1L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - e-Golf 5-Door

£7,995

£167/pm (CS)

56.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr MANUAL

£15,500

1L
66.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Coleraine

02890026915 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,719

£254/pm (HP)

1.6L
49.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

02037808144 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£20,995

£422/pm (PCP)

2L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hartlepool Motor Company Ltd

01429807308 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£14,000

£222/pm (PCP)

1L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 Golf GTE Advance Semi-Auto 5dr

£10,750

£218/pm (HP)

1.4L
98.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Gibbons Automotive

01373481926 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

£32,995

£469/pm (PCP)

2L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,995

£472/pm (HP)

2L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

LHK Performance Cars Ltd

01743290953 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£22,300

£349/pm (PCP)

2L
19.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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 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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