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 Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

£3,395

1.6L
125.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sea View Car Centre

01202052309 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.9 BlueMotion TDI Estate 5-Door

£1,495

1.9L
171.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AR Cars

01254947703 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG + 17' NOTTINGHAM ALLOYS Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,399

1.5L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - CLIMATE CO

Low Mileage

£14,763

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - SE TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,499

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 Golf Life eTSI Semi-Auto 5dr

£18,500

1L
3.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

LMC Cars

01708206105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,595

1.5L
28.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

2L
78.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RSG MOTOR GROUP

01344204666 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,999

2L
43.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,600

Finance available £415 pm

2L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R-LINE TDI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
34.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch R Black Edition 2.0 TSI 4Motion 333ps | Winter Pack | 19' Alloys 5-Door

Low Mileage

£43,980

Finance available £845 pm

2L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,790

Finance available £292 pm

1.6L
32.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars2 Wakefield MG

01942365186 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,875

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Excel Motors

01733667455 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£11,295

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£25,490

Finance available £503 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 Golf SE Nav TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
93.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTyne

01916076035 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

2L
72.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CAR HOUSE OF BRITIAN LTD

01614139885 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - TSI Style Hatchback 1.5 Manual Petrol 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,912

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
20.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers Cumbria

01228273201 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,490

2L
92.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 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 2020)

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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