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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£30,475

2L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,498

1.4L
68.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (West Bromwich)

01215165456 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,900

Finance available £392 pm

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 TSI BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

1.2L
62.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Active EVO Manual

£18,290

1.5L
32.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / 20 TAX / H/SEATS / DAB

£8,475

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,750

Finance available £173 pm

1.6L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - BLUEMOTION Automatic

Reduced

£10,500

1.4L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Riviera Japanese Imports

01803224925 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,399

2L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) Touchscreen, And

£22,222

Finance available £436 pm

2L
42.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,499

Finance available £379 pm

2L
29.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£5,795

2L
162.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,720

Finance available £497 pm

2L
22.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Darlington

01325521605 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£30,735

2L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf(68) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,999

28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Manor Motors

01429801276 *

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

£15,302

1.5L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Kings Lynn

01553604436 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (59) - 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
35.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
37.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

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 3dr 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.