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.

5,254 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

2L
70.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£19,199

Finance available £406 pm

2L
45.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - GTI EDITION30 T 230 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,999

2L
113.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Chana Car Centre

02476936601 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

1.4L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mcmullin Motors

01752973034 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£7,949

Finance available £155 pm

1.4L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

£38,890

2L
234.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
60.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autohub Northampton

01604343474 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.5L
90.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG 5-Door

£15,897

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
53.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Lincoln

01522459088 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Liverpool Motorstore / MG

01513179472 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 1.9 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,190

1.9L
140.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

XA Cars Ltd

01753989177 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,050

Finance available £200 pm

1L
73.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,680

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motors Today

01515417939 *

0/5 Stars

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

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H and M Cars Ltd

07921081064 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,054

Finance available £337 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.6L
49.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,100

Finance available £309 pm

2L
25.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,451

39.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Chingford

02039577333 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,750

Finance available £329 pm

1.4L
32.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

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 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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