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.

5,585 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GOLF 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£19,146

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,250

£173/pm (HP)

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

SELECT CARS & COMMERCIALS

01582280231 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,450

£135/pm (HP)

1.6L
88.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,251

£215/pm (HP)

2L
86.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

PRO AUTOCARS LTD

01256587054 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Front / Re

Reduced

£18,736

£263/pm (PCP)

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

Volkswagen GolfSE DSG 1.2 TSI ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,950

33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Eden Car Sales Ltd

02893447216 *

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

Reduced

£43,995

£653/pm (PCP)

2L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 GT TDI Bluemotion Technology DSG Auto 5 Door Diesel Automatic

£6,695

2L
132.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Albion Vehicle Sales

01444220079 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,470

1.6L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Preston

01772595651 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 SDI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,295

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Melton Car Sales

01664492035 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£14,500

£283/pm (HP)

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,275

2L
72.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Preston Kia

01772289197 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Oldbury Fiat / Motorstore / Jeep / Abarth / BYD

01215166056 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI STYLE DSG 2-Door

£16,995

£336/pm (HP)

2L
20.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

SELECT CARS & COMMERCIALS

01582280231 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,989

£390/pm (HP)

2L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

A6 Motors Limited

01525300677 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,195

£109/pm (HP)

1.6L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

R Line Motors

01618042359 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Fr

£17,799

£269/pm (PCP)

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£22,995

£375/pm (PCP)

2L
53.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI (EVO) 2023MY Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,757

1.5L
21.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 3dr

£4,495

2L
146.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JS Motors

07804653822 *

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

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

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.