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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 - GT TSI 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
110.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Purewell Motor Company

01202076204 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,990

Finance available £698 pm

2L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)-

Low Mileage

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Central Car Sales

01524917288 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,576

1.5L
16.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

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

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Country Lodge Cars

01594809269 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 115 SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,912

Finance available £229 pm

1L
48.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,199

Finance available £355 pm

1.4L
25.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Manchester

01614139868 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.4L
36.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£24,998

2L
24.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JM MOTOR CO

01158227506 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,499

Finance available £391 pm

2L
45.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

2L
65.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Active EVO MANUAL

Low Mileage

£18,690

1.5L
22.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,989

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
133.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 150 GT BLUEMOTION EURO 6 5-Door

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
143.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ex Police Car Centre

01384881231 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO **18 ALLOYS, HARMON KARDON +

Low Mileage

£21,790

1.5L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 S Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (80 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

1.4L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Next

01869221886 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£26,990

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£10,000

1.4L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

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 (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

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