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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£25,113

Finance available £517 pm

2L
9.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£2,635

1.6L
169.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

2k Motor Group

01733797035 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,494

Finance available £234 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match MPV 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Automatic

Low Mileage

£13,895

1.5L
45.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Sinclair Direct Bridgend

01656339498 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Automatic

£42,300

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
105.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rose Motors LTD

07733642092 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,990

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tiley of Bristol

01174404957 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Active Manual

Low Mileage

£18,199

1L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£5,992

Finance available £112 pm

2L
112.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - S TSI 5-Door

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

1.2L
133.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 SE NAVIGATION TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5d 109 BHP 5-Door

£10,549

Finance available £200 pm

1L
64.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£17,698

2L
30.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TSI DSG EURO 5 5dr HATCHBACK PETROL AUTOMATIC

Reduced

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

KLAW MOTORS

02039537452 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,999

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Stoke - Stoneacre Select

01782986854 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - GT TSI EVO AUTO ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
31.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Roundstone Car Sales

01903944818 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 R DSG 5-Door

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
80.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,190

Finance available £49 pm

1.6L
109.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI Active 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,235

1L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Golf Match Tdi Bluemotion Technology 5-Door

£2,995

1.6L
123.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Elms Car Sales Ltd

01278555741 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Select A Car

01163668383 *

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 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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