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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door + CLICK AND COLLECT MANUAL

£24,299

Finance available £479 pm

1.5L
12.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
70.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dean Smith Car Sales

01613887695 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,799

Finance available £521 pm

2L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

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

£4,999

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
150.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

FALLOWFIELD CARS LIMITED

01613887703 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,998

1.5L
20.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - Gtd Tdi Dsg 5-Door

£18,420

Finance available £389 pm

2L
76.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Golf Match TSi Evo 5dr

Reduced

£11,100

Finance available £226 pm

1.5L
80.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Blackbird Crossroads Motors

01164646069 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,782

1.5L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

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

Reduced

£27,993

2L
12.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£17,695

Finance available £350 pm

1L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Birchwood Motor Centre

01708932573 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Paul Whetter Cars

01726214041 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£43,583

Finance available £837 pm

2L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Style 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door MANUAL

£21,982

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
12.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr [Nav]

£9,991

Finance available £201 pm

2L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cwmavon Car Sales

01639501142 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£27,495

Finance available £544 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,989

Finance available £111 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

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

Low Mileage

£23,750

Finance available £467 pm

2L
26.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£15,197

Finance available £304 pm

1.5L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

2L
34.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Kirkcaldy)

01592808074 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

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 (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 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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