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.

5,333 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zen Cars Walsall Ltd

01922664680 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mark Ross Motors

02892441151 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

John McHugh Car Sales

02881440370 *

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

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

DMS Prestige Limited

01992661584 *

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

Reduced

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Brookmans Motor Group

01707242293 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,250

Finance available £437 pm

2L
12.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,999

Finance available £306 pm

2L
35.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,499

Finance available £493 pm

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE BLUEMOTION 5-Door

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£20,998

1.5L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Mazda MG (Stirling)

01786230675 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,798

1.5L
41.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Geneva Motors Harlow

01279212108 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eric Ellis Jones Brynsiriol Garage

01970600366 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,500

Finance available £376 pm

2L
43.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

S & S Car Sales

01592407421 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 5dr 1.5TSi EVO Match Automatic

Low Mileage

£15,295

1.5L
42.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,299

Finance available £297 pm

1.5L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 8 R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 320PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£27,000

2L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,750

Finance available £467 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

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 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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