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.

5,642 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£15,499

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,200

£249/pm (PCP)

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,795

£197/pm (HP)

2L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motors Deals Ltd

01612416399 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£49,960

50.0
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,290

1.5L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6

Low Mileage

£16,250

2L
49.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Durham Toyota

01913387271 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,449

£341/pm (PCP)

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£19,995

£339/pm (PCP)

2L
51.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RZ Cars

01773303699 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI SE 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,500

1.4L
84.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105188 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0T GTI 5dr

Reduced

£6,990

£168/pm (HP)

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Hammick Ltd

01277285891 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

£496/pm (PCP)

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,795

1.6L
133.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hanson Car Sales

01522467377 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

£220/pm (HP)

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

H and M Cars Ltd

07921081064 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Low Mileage

£7,495

£145/pm (HP)

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Stanley Motor Group

01924793235 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,990

£189/pm (HP)

1.4L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

PH Cars Arundel

01903947593 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£22,995

1.4L
35.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI Match DSG 5dr

Reduced

£2,799

1.9L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Safe Cars

01234861497 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£21,950

£358/pm (PCP)

1.5L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gormley Motors Ltd

02887448026 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,619

1.5L
10.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

£9,995

65.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Brendon Service Station

01984600133 *

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 (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

* 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.