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.

5,411 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,100

£416/pm (PCP)

2L
34.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

£17,399

£366/pm (HP)

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£4,495

£165/pm (HP)

1.6L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion - Automatic - part ex to clear 5-Door

Reduced

£1,000

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£18,950

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / 67.3 MPG

Low Mileage

£10,975

£223/pm (HP)

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£9,999

1.6L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars2 Wakefield SEAT

01274087621 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,498

2L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Linwood Hyundai / Mazda / GWM / Used Car Centre

01414060040 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,490

£190/pm (HP)

2L
98.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CAR NATION GROUP LTD

01733979117 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,899

£333/pm (HP)

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

01708202994 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£21,498

2L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,199

£77/pm (HP)

1.6L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Bob Car Sales

01482739309 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£21,700

£334/pm (PCP)

2L
19.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Reduced

£27,400

£407/pm (PCP)

2L
22.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Tangelo Used Cars Plymouth

01752429735 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£7,995

£156/pm (HP)

2L
114.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Redpath & Mclean Motor Ltd

01316036539 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,640

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Hull

01482421637 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,998

2L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 115 SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£15,299

£319/pm (HP)

1.6L
8.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (Z7) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£16,995

£357/pm (HP)

2L
73.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£5,999

£112/pm (HP)

1.4L
96.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Penarth Marina Sales and Boat Services

02921676478 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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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