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.

5,106 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
101.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Twin Car Sales Ltd

01255449987 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,599

Finance available £281 pm

1.6L
37.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet 2dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (160 ps)

Low Mileage

£5,995

1.4L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,195

1.6L
177.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Trade Car Lot

01924973266 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
22.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Mazda/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/Leapmotor

01224451052 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£33,233

Finance available £662 pm

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car City UK Catterick

01748900779 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£22,697

Finance available £465 pm

1.5L
8.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

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 Golf2015 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,181

1.4L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
65.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,599

Finance available £316 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Store Bristol

01174400909 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,490

Finance available £289 pm

1.6L
38.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Penton Citroen Salisbury

01722445449 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,698

2L
23.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hillington Renault / Dacia / Alpine / Vanstore

01414068774 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI Active 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,235

1L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen GolfGTI ULEZ compliant 5-Door

Reduced

£8,995

2L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - ADAPTIVE C

£13,684

Finance available £266 pm

1.5L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,295

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£4,995

1.6L
111.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

OB Motors

01495367091 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT DSG Euro 5 5dr

£1,495

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

M & A Automotive Ltd

01506376848 *

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 Present)

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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