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.

5,263 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 - MATCH TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,499

1.4L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£21,000

Finance available £366 pm

2L
27.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
58.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Shelbourne Autoselect

02838299034 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
34.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Runnymede Motor Company Windlesham

01344202526 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,395

1.6L
107.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

A1 Car Shop Ltd

01462412937 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr LOW MILES FULL LEATHER FSH

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
58.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Whapload Road Car Sales

01502441591 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto with Apple Carplay

Reduced

£19,899

2L
19.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Invicta Doves Horsham

01403338915 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ck Car Sales

01902925988 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,499

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
87.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

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

Reduced

£6,989

1.6L
133.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£5,250

2L
101.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hartlebury Cars

01562547645 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,399

Finance available £337 pm

2L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

02039897125 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£33,750

Finance available £673 pm

2L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H & S Autos Ltd

01932565026 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,980

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
55.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,149

Finance available £726 pm

2L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,900

Finance available £491 pm

2L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£36,000

2L
7.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

£44,950

Finance available £903 pm

2L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Grange Road Motors

02886273066 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / 20 TAX / H/SEATS / DAB

£8,475

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,949

Finance available £590 pm

2L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

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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