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.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.5L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Nation Ltd

01945664291 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE (Nav) 5dr DSG

Reduced

£14,400

1.4L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - Avantgarde 2.0 Auto 2-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
125.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Townsends of Rugby Ltd

01788221946 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
84.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£18,500

Finance available £312 pm

1.4L
26.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

Reduced

£30,998

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

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

£18,000

1.5L
43.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Grimsby Hewitts Business Park Nissan

01472404052 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 - SE TDI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Coastal Automotive

01202048232 *

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

£20,000

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

1.6L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Smarter Cars

01243219895 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
129.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FIDA MOTORS LIMITED

01279215830 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 GTD TDI DSG 5DR Semi Automatic

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

APC LTD

01744412068 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,499

1.5L
7.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
106.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Spick Cars

01202068600 *

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 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

PX Cars Ltd

01924667043 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,043

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,499

2L
45.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Stockton

01642049066 *

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 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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