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.

5,211 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£30,700

Finance available £530 pm

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£3,675

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Barnyard Trade Cars Limited

01788227357 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£18,298

1.5L
8.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat Motorstore Jeep Abarth (Oldbury)

01215166056 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£15,891

1.5L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Kings Lynn

01553604436 *

0/5 Stars

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

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,791

1.6L
111.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R TSI 4MOTION DSG - EVERY EXTRA -DCC-PAN ROOF-PERF PACK-HUD-CAM-HK-WINTERPK 5-Door

£44,995

Finance available £904 pm

2L
590.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TDI Match 5-Door

£13,995

1.6L
48.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Llanelli Motor Company

01554707000 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
57.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Clear Car Group Ltd

01616696927 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£16,437

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Kings Norton

01217288857 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - SE TSI DSG+AUTOMATIC+FULL HISTORY+LOW INSURANCE +3M WARRANTY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,310

1.4L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GL1 Car Sales

01452224639 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,188

Finance available £183 pm

1.4L
81.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£11,645

Finance available £238 pm

2L
76.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bedfordshire Car Sales

01234987567 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (18

£10,200

Finance available £206 pm

2L
81.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
47.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Scala Automotive Ltd

02039577461 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Reduced

£7,495

1.4L
55.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 - V5 5-Door

Reduced

£4,495

2.3L
91.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Maylands Car Sales

01442504328 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,490

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall SEAT Braintree

01376312248 *

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

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£20,647

1.5L
18.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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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