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.

5,263 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£22,195

Finance available £435 pm

2L
19.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pat Kirk Ltd

02871221794 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 3dr

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

1.4L
133.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£24,990

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£15,597

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,199

Finance available £398 pm

1.4L
21.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
92.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

Reduced

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.9L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Granthams Garage ltd

01905672442 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,195

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

North West Trade Centre

01772285821 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GCS - GERMAN CAR SPECIALIST

01494312143 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,550

Finance available £347 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

West Motors

01212722013 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,390

Finance available £602 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door

£22,490

1.5L
15.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Etsi Mhev R Line Estate 5dr Petrol Hybrid Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

£17,925

1.5L
45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Pentagon BYD Mazda Peugeot Vauxhall (Lincoln)

01522467381 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 3dr

Low Mileage

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
52.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bournemouth Cars

01202051971 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

32.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
90.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOHAUS CHELTENHAM LTD T/a Greatfield Cars & Commercials

01242501609 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

£3,950

Finance available £66 pm

2L
182.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

NSG Cars

01709212041 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,998

2L
29.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J B Motors

01483917289 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,999

Finance available £493 pm

2L
30.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

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 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 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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