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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

52.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£31,499

Finance available £627 pm

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Magor Motor Company

01633741705 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H and M Cars Ltd

07921081064 *

Volkswagen Golf(21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£20,500

52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - 18IN ALL

£19,076

Finance available £379 pm

1.5L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£21,900

Finance available £381 pm

1.4L
13.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£35,995

Finance available £719 pm

2L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TF Car Sales Ltd

01455241626 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,499

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Portsmouth

02382146197 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£20,400

Finance available £356 pm

2L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 3dr

Reduced

£7,795

Finance available £152 pm

1L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motoring Point

01482422765 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GT 3-Door

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
4.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,100

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bedford Specialist Cars

01234987610 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£2,495

1.6L
158.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grange Farm Motors

01913002460 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Manual

£20,990

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,595

1.5L
28.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

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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