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.

5,119 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£35,323

25.0
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,595

2L
104.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Tamebridge Cars Ltd

01642049641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£10,000

1.4L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SJ Approved Used Cars LTD

01455241696 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Rk Motoring Ltd

01702418738 *

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

£26,698

2L
11.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

£15,997

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (60)

£6,900

Finance available £132 pm

1.4L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lexus Gatwick

01293223011 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

Reduced

£6,375

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,099

Finance available £243 pm

1.6L
44.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

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

Reduced

£7,800

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
92.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto City Trader Ltd

01182274525 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£21,990

Finance available £431 pm

2L
47.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Savannah Cars Ltd

01702418484 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,299

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£9,895

Finance available £199 pm

48.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

J Stuart & Co Ltd

01518322201 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

1L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Lane Cars Ltd

01942559253 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.6L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,799

Finance available £442 pm

1.5L
5.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - SE TDI DSG DPF 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,000

2L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Glenn Palmer Cars

01603937367 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.5L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

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 2016)

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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