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.

5,219 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£36,000

2L
7.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,149

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (55) - DSG GTI 5-Door

Reduced

£5,495

2L
73.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mayfield Garage

01435518133 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£13,900

Finance available £288 pm

2L
80.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MEBTRONIC LTD

01733666891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,900

Finance available £197 pm

1L
73.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£20,998

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,749

Finance available £267 pm

1.5L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

£10,895

1.5L
81.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 Etsi Mhev Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid Dsg Euro 6 s/s 110 Ps

£14,195

1L
56.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pentagon Vauxhall (Nottingham)

01156977783 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,143

Finance available £160 pm

1.4L
75.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Beep Beep Cars Ltd

01913232953 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,299

1.9L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Z a motors

01785336152 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.4L
35.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Autos

01206355496 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Reduced

£15,498

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Hyundai / OMODA / JAECOO

01224907796 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

1L
30.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Reduced

£5,495

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brothers Car Lot

01726219474 *

0/5 Stars

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

£11,679

Finance available £239 pm

2L
102.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brook Cars Company

01952446504 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - NAV - CARPLA

£15,294

Finance available £306 pm

2L
60.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£1,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kensington Car Group LTD

01642049640 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors (FRS) Ltd

01346410646 *

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 (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.