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.

5,195 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

2L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
60.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

45.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Wednesbury Carsale

01217288861 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 3-Door

£4,000

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SEATON CAR SALES LIMITED

01429802613 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£34,700

Finance available £738 pm

2L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,490

Finance available £252 pm

2L
99.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,998

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Glasgow)

01416118316 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 SDI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,295

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Melton Car Sales

01664492035 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£16,990

1.4L
13.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Penton Citroen Salisbury

01722445449 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£10,949

Finance available £216 pm

28.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

cinch Store Birmingham

01216618749 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,161

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,998

1.6L
59.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot/SEAT/Cupra/Skoda (Edinburgh)

01312025128 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£15,750

Finance available £330 pm

2L
70.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£17,599

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
61.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,199

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

£3,395

2L
153.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
63.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Central Car Sales Ltd

01733977746 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI (EVO) 2022MY Life 5-Door

£14,292

1.5L
49.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

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

* 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.