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 Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,475

1.5L
36.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,390

Finance available £232 pm

2L
92.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Performa Motors Limited

01733794291 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Reduced

£14,850

Finance available £309 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Zeus Cars Limited

01234237525 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG TOP SPEC

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car World Motors Ltd

01924668250 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£699

2L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£17,999

Finance available £349 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - Golf Gt Tdi 140 5-Door

£2,495

2L
154.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Atlantic Motorzone Ltd

01782986888 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Black Edition 5dr DSG

£28,498

1.5L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hillington Renault / Dacia / Alpine / Vanstore

01414068774 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,321

Finance available £602 pm

2L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

£11,893

1.5L
65.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Huddersfield

01484240749 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£4,495

1.6L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - SE TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,499

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,099

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Family Driven Motors Ltd

01515419350 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R-Line TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£15,490

Finance available £324 pm

2L
61.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sleaford Car Centre

01529401234 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,549

Finance available £406 pm

2L
22.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£2,399

1.4L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Car Sales

01978801409 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI (EVO) 2020MY Match Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,291

1.5L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,698

2L
27.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Newcastle OMODA / JAECOO

01913387320 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£21,298

2L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Shrewsbury)

01743291338 *

4.7/5 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 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

* 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.