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.

5,256 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 GTE DSG 5d 150 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,990

1.4L
41.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,064

1.5L
6.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Life EVO

£15,945

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG Automatic

£21,150

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,999

Finance available £402 pm

2L
45.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,600

Finance available £403 pm

2L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 S SDI 5dr [AC]

Low Mileage

£1,995

2L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£11,599

Finance available £230 pm

1.5L
64.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

02039092092 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,950

Finance available £133 pm

2L
122.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMCARS (LTD)

02830447097 *

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

£12,495

1.5L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,990

1.5L
13.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PEMBROKESHIRE CAR & VAN SALES LTD

01994220015 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 Golf R 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

2L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ceir Seiont Cars LTD

01248663519 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - GTI TSI DSG 5-Door

£24,775

Finance available £488 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMV

01634564263 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,750

Finance available £151 pm

2L
72.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150PS Life EVO DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,399

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 300 5-Door

£12,499

Finance available £271 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South Yorkshire Motors Ltd

01977802191 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£25,493

1.4L
7.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,999

2L
43.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Atherton

01942597176 *

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

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 (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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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