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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
97.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

18K Motors

01134681774 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 3.2 R32 5DR Manual PX SWAP PART EXCHANGE EX

Low Mileage

£6,000

3.2L
136.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nationwide Car Sales

01925907761 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 3dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

3.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Berkshire Car Planet Limited

01753968045 *

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

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £263 pm

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
92.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Advantage Vehicles Limited

01270297248 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,195

Finance available £446 pm

1.5L
16.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Automatic ULEZ Hpi Clear

Reduced

£5,999

1.4L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Simply Motors

02081500946 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SIMPSON MOTORS

01383347764 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr DSG ULEZ

£6,990

1.2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£9,499

2L
96.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AA Car Sales Ltd

01243211485 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,225

Finance available £398 pm

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,999

Finance available £372 pm

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,790

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
115.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MCD Cars

01244569195 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,998

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) - HEAT

£29,156

Finance available £591 pm

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr

£12,989

1.5L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Elite Autos NI

02890023616 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,840

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

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

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