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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

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 Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£35,998

2L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Nissan Doncaster

01302245278 *

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

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
92.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,100

Finance available £226 pm

2L
87.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,999

1.6L
94.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Vantage Car Sales Barnham Ltd

01243979957 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,047

Finance available £358 pm

1.4L
46.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JPB Specialist Cars Ltd

01434400352 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,600

Finance available £423 pm

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,994

Finance available £268 pm

2L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£16,299

Finance available £331 pm

1.4L
64.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01792001651 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps) - CLIMATE CONTROL - DAB

Low Mileage

£11,216

Finance available £214 pm

21.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£19,100

2L
60.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DRB Car Sales

01822661268 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,700

Finance available £284 pm

2L
63.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.5L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Legion Car Sales

01322949538 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps) - HEATED SEATS -

Low Mileage

£18,608

Finance available £370 pm

2L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,590

Finance available £341 pm

1.5L
24.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI GTI 2dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Isaac Motors

01792952517 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
61.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ross Car Sales

01792001616 *

4.7/5 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 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 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.