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.

5,140 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,350

2L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elton Cars Ltd

01733666869 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£19,250

2L
60.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

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

Low Mileage

£26,200

Finance available £451 pm

2L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£25,113

Finance available £517 pm

2L
9.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TSI Match Edition 5-Door

£10,995

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

£4,595

Finance available £80 pm

2L
110.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carnatics Motor Company Limited

01844391476 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£31,995

Finance available £637 pm

2L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,000

Finance available £246 pm

2L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DR-CC (DR Car Company)

01143086588 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AHC CAR SALES LTD

01135123659 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 2.0

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG E

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

ILEX CAR SALES LTD

02877440249 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,150

Finance available £204 pm

24.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£18,199

Finance available £353 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace Car Sales Bury

01618042294 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£27,991

Finance available £554 pm

2L
14.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cardiff Trade Sales Ltd

02922679489 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
106.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

2 Good To Trade

01709917837 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kirkham Part Ex Centre

01772348362 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), Bluemotion Tech, Match Edition, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6.

Low Mileage

£10,499

1.4L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£15,498

1.5L
59.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£16,300

Finance available £273 pm

2L
32.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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 (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

* 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.