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 Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Flexautos

01977801342 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£12,145

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Mayfair Car and Hire LTD

02038730240 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,078

Finance available £458 pm

2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£17,495

1.5L
37.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Luton Trade Centre

01582280724 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,990

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,595

1.5L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,990

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
62.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Bolton

01204584597 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,322

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
77.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,590

Finance available £281 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Cars Agent Group Ltd

02039375221 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr Diesel Manual 5 Door

£995

1.6L
176.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chartwell Suffolk Ltd

01787326839 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Au

£12,105

Finance available £248 pm

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Days Llansamlet

01792739702 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 S 5dr New MOT included

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hamilton Motors

01562541393 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - GOLF GTD 3-Door

Reduced

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carzooo Limited

01616720266 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

£2,485

2L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AJ Motor Group

01733666925 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

1.6L
43.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Solid Cars Ltd

01312410517 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,726

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,995

2L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£17,963

1.5L
49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (235 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
89.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saratoga Motors

01217288892 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,480

Finance available £55 pm

1.4L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

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 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 (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

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