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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life

Low Mileage

£16,491

1L
19.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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

£18,493

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
30.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Hillington Motor Co Ltd

01414730658 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £346 pm

2L
53.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lismenary Motors

02893448902 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,180

2L
77.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Automatic Motors Ltd

01895546521 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,000

Finance available £396 pm

1.5L
17.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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

£9,599

52.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,999

Finance available £350 pm

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£20,495

2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Wolverhampton

01902544572 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Devine Cars

02890023226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,795

Finance available £286 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

GDH Car Sales

01403330806 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AVI DHIR CARS LIMITED TA AD Car Sales

01530441089 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

Low Mileage

£44,999

Finance available £904 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
78.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,600

Finance available £282 pm

1L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Browns Car Company

01621733495 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,998

1.5L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leeds Roseville Road)

01134689402 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,298

1.5L
19.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Tullyroad Motors

02890023743 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,599

Finance available £259 pm

1.6L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MW MOTOR GROUP LTD

01164784157 *

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 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 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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