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.

4,996 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 Tsi 272 Gte Ehybrid 5Dr Dsg

£29,991

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Scotswood Road

01916077232 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,499

1.6L
124.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARHUB MK LTD

01908010437 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,994

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG 6 SERVICES

£17,999

Finance available £349 pm

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 Match 5dr

£2,495

2L
155.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JP Car Sales

01279969613 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£16,195

Finance available £340 pm

2L
79.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Chase Lane Motors

01702904126 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£35,898

2L
16.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

41.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,249

Finance available £312 pm

1.5L
22.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
51.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,195

Finance available £116 pm

1.6L
85.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

West Midlands Cars Ltd

01212721955 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI SE TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

£6,990

1.4L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,895

1.5L
43.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Grimsby Hewitts Business Park Nissan

01472404052 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

2L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£11,999

1.5L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

2L
53.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

LCC Car Sales Limited

01274028163 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,430

2L
110.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet 2dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (160 ps)

£4,790

1.4L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £353 pm

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 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.