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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,498

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Dundee Vauxhall / Fiat / Abarth

01382768498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

£7,450

1.4L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Leisure Car Shop Ltd

01245204842 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

1.4L
99.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,950

Finance available £369 pm

1.5L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,499

2L
101.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Big Motor Company Ltd

01482947783 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

£999

1.6L
153.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Z a motors

01785336152 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,849

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Joseph David Simm Ltd

01670339826 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£27,396

2L
7.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Bexley

02038895332 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,905

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
78.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Edgars Car Sales

02891638368 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,998

1.6L
57.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

K2 Cars Omagh (NI) Ltd

02890023705 *

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

Low Mileage

£25,500

1.5L
658.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

2L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lennox Auto Limited

02039484608 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr Diesel Estate

Low Mileage

£24,668

2L
5.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 Tsi Life Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 110 Ps

£15,999

1L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Tustain Motors Haddington

01620670407 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cantilever Car Centre

01925917573 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Elite Autos NI

02890023616 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£22,050

Finance available £432 pm

2L
33.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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