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.

5,108 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
85.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

County Car Company

01935311768 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Match DSG 5-Door

£29,990

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
21.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1.6L
103.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,298

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Motor Group Peterborough

01733666887 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Paul Whetter Cars

01726214041 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,295

Finance available £208 pm

1.4L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 Turbo Diesel (TDI), Bluemotion Tech, GT Edition, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6

£10,299

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,295

1.4L
142.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars of Kinson

01202001903 *

2.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£21,490

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

£14,500

Finance available £302 pm

2L
80.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - GTI 3-Door

£14,995

2L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leyland)

01772283744 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,499

2L
45.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Stockton

01642049066 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,690

Finance available £548 pm

2L
5.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,489

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£17,950

2L
50.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

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

£27,950

Finance available £554 pm

2L
55.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Bros Citroen (Dungannon)

02887440646 *

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 (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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