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.

5,604 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£18,471

1.5L
39.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£19,261

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

£6,829

£122/pm (HP)

2L
114.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gem Cars Ltd

01522440039 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,250

£117/pm (HP)

1.4L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

mhas

02038056893 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,410

1L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£14,290

2L
84.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

£179/pm (HP)

1.6L
91.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - GTD 5-Door

£6,995

2L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stockwood Village Automotive

01174400893 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,990

1.5L
18.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,795

£227/pm (HP)

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Severnside Car Company

01656334050 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,349

£280/pm (HP)

2L
57.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£16,982

2L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Bolton Cupra

01204584566 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,984

£178/pm (HP)

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

New Street Car Centre

01952967003 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,923

£261/pm (PCP)

1.5L
21.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,970

2L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NW Auto Sales LTD

01733666813 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,599

£362/pm (PCP)

1.4L
17.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,450

£233/pm (HP)

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

O'Kane Cars

02879440619 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,650

£193/pm (HP)

1.6L
85.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£30,995

£501/pm (PCP)

2L
20.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamptons of Surrey

01252414849 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,795

1.6L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ac Car Sales

01787320888 *

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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