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 Golf2022 - 2.0 Tsi Gti Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 245 Ps

£22,595

2L
55.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Spalding

01775661268 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 TDI PD Sport Estate 5dr Diesel Manual (149 g/km, 130 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,990

1.9L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI GT Euro 5 5dr

£2,440

1.4L
132.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CARSALES

01733797197 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

Low Mileage

£11,327

Finance available £235 pm

1L
49.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£23,998

2L
48.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,447

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,956

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,179

Finance available £329 pm

2L
62.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,500

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,100

Finance available £265 pm

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.4L
97.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorline Car Sales

01163668351 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0T GTI Pirelli 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,490

2L
100.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MB Executive Motor Company

02476936643 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£19,000

Finance available £370 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Shop

01217288893 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,495

1L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Spencers Car Sales

01603931848 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£26,499

Finance available £524 pm

2L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£16,998

2L
48.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat Motorstore Jeep Abarth (Oldbury)

01215166056 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,198

1L
44.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

PEMBROKESHIRE CAR & VAN SALES LTD

01994220015 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,989

1.5L
76.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,449

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
39.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

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 Present)

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

* 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.