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.

5,192 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£37,995

Finance available £760 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H J Wickett and Co

01752423700 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
76.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Flintshire Car Sales Ltd

01352871748 *

4.3/5 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 Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£15,542

Finance available £325 pm

1.4L
13.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

£14,249

Finance available £296 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

INFINITY AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS LIMITED

02393267155 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,770

Finance available £345 pm

2L
34.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Preston

01772595651 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - GTI EDITION30 T 230 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,999

2L
113.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Chana Car Centre

02476936601 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,300

Finance available £401 pm

1.5L
21.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / 20 TAX / H/SEATS / DAB

£8,475

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Reduced

£8,369

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mersea Car Sales

01206489531 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,298

1.5L
6.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chesterfield Motorstore / Vanstore

01246381032 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,490

Finance available £324 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Moyway Motors

02887441322 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

Reduced

£6,375

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG 6 month warranty

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
52.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sterling 8 Ltd

01614700128 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£20,998

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

£1,245

1.6L
137.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Hamstead Autos

01213872419 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£26,195

1.5L
10.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
113.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MB Cars

01577330242 *

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 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.