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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

£16,912

1.5L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf1997 (R) - 2.0 Avantgarde 2dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

2L
135.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Mercia Cars

01630410587 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150ps) Style DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,200

2L
19.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

Low Mileage

£33,000

Finance available £582 pm

2L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Gti Performance Tsi Dsg

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
64.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£10,195

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
52.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tangelo Used Cars Exeter

01394331922 *

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

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - GTE ADVANCE DSG - REVERSE CAMERA - LANE ASSIST -KEYLESS -WINTER PACK -LEDS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
33.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,597

2L
64.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fusion Motors Limited

01375808581 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

33.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Fife Mitsubishi Cupar

01592407354 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - S 79BHP 5-Door

£1,795

1.4L
200.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£14,395

1.6L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£17,490

2L
88.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£32,200

Finance available £564 pm

2L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,649

Finance available £328 pm

2L
45.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 1.8 16v GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.8L
125.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,900

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
9.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI SE 3dr

£6,850

Finance available £131 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI 160 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Qasr Almadina Used Cars Ltd

01753201083 *

0/5 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

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.