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 Golf2024 (74) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£20,900

1L
18.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,999

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,695

Finance available £83 pm

1.6L
121.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Sportline Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

1.6L
157.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Chambers Car Sales

01709915521 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (0M) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
85.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sheffield Car Centre Ltd

01144786513 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - WIFI - BLU

£16,974

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

1.6L
11.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Turners of Roborough

01752427448 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,649

Finance available £339 pm

2L
30.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Store Bristol

01174400909 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,500

Finance available £422 pm

2L
43.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 SE 5dr

£1,695

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ANZ MOTORS LTD

01165093285 *

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

Low Mileage

£37,498

2L
10.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,998

1L
55.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Blackpool Vauxhall / Vanstore

01253201464 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI S 5-Door

£8,890

Finance available £166 pm

1.4L
81.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fresh Motors Ltd

01953665835 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£30,000

Finance available £596 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,400

Finance available £351 pm

2L
52.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

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 Present)

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.